Prospect Info: 2021 2nd Rd Pick (#57 OA) - Matthew Knies (LW) - Tri-City (USHL)

[Stephen]

The idea that he's just going to be a big bodied energy guy in the 3rd line doesn't line up much with the eye test too.

He's got a good vision/iq of the play happening in front of him and a good set of hands.

Doesn't make him a lock to be a top six guy. But he can definitely get there with the right development

He definitely looks like a poor man's Auston Matthews. Just has that unusual shot mechanic and deceptive hands in tight, unexpected finesse mixed with a power game. Very active stick checking and stripping pucks. His physical game is reminiscent of a Forsberg in style, with what looks like reverse hits and casual pop. Has that lunging style Nick Robertson likes to play with but he has the frame to do it. I wouldn't be surprised if he learned the game in those mini rinks Matthews reportedly started out in. I think you could be fairly optimistic he'll be a top 6 guy. Whether that's as a line driver or a complimentary piece is TBD.

 

[Petes2424]

I’ll say it out loud, as most of us Leaf fans are running from the subject right now…. But I admit it.

Knies has probably been the most disappointing player of the tournament so far. He’s been flat, has trouble finding open ice, can’t meet Cooley’s pace. Savage has been 3x the player and he’s a 4th round pick.

Hopefully he can find something in his game the last 9 minutes here but by far, the most disappointing player after 3 games.

 

[Leaf Fans]

I’ll say it out loud, as most of us Leaf fans are running from the subject right now…. But I admit it.

Knies has probably been the most disappointing player of the tournament so far. He’s been flat, has trouble finding open ice, can’t meet Cooley’s pace. Savage has been 3x the player and he’s a 4th round pick.

Hopefully he can find something in his game the last 9 minutes here but by far, the most disappointing player after 3 games.

He hasn't been in a competitive game yet. He will though starting with Sweden tomorrow.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

I’ll say it out loud, as most of us Leaf fans are running from the subject right now…. But I admit it.

Knies has probably been the most disappointing player of the tournament so far. He’s been flat, has trouble finding open ice, can’t meet Cooley’s pace. Savage has been 3x the player and he’s a 4th round pick.

Hopefully he can find something in his game the last 9 minutes here but by far, the most disappointing player after 3 games.

“Us Leafs fans?” You haven’t posted here since 2013. Seems to me you’re here doing the only thing the WJC is good for on forums, using a teams prospect’s performance as a cudgel to either brag or tear down an organization.

 

[Petes2424]

He hasn't been in a competitive game yet. He will though starting with Sweden tomorrow.

Hope so but he’s floating out there. Maybe he and Cooley just don’t mix well because he looks almost disinterested as Cooley showboats.

Knies looks the part, but doesn’t back it up. I’ve watched him play 20-25 times now and the one thing that stands out? You always expect more. Not because he’s a Leafs prospect and we all want him to do well, but because his confidence level doesn’t seem to be there. He dumps when he shouldn’t, chips when he shouldn’t. I dare to say, there’s some laziness there.

Right now, he’s nowhere near the NHL.

Let’s see tomorrow night. He’ll be up against real NHL quality dmen prospects and defensive forwards. If he steps up and plays with some confidence and determination, he can make up some ground. Right now though, he’s by far the most disappointing player in the tournament.

 

[Petes2424]

“Us Leafs fans?” You haven’t posted here since 2013. Seems to me you’re here doing the only thing the WJC is good for on forums, using a teams prospect’s performance as a cudgel to either brag or tear down an organization.

There’s a reason I don’t very often. Because when you have an educated opinion, you get comments like this. Honestly searched for his name and thought it was in the prospects forum but regardless. If we don’t think Knies is a concern, we’re fooling ourselves.

 

[horner]

Cooley doing Michigander's against a crappy team , it's all I need to know about his game.
It must be tough for his line mates ( Knies ) to keep your game moving forward , it must be frustrating.
Cooley needs alot of maturity in his game.

 

[rdogg]

Cooley doing Michigander's against a crappy team , it's all I need to know about his game.
It must be tough for his line mates ( Knies ) to keep your game moving forward , it must be frustrating.
Cooley needs alot of maturity in his game.

For real though.

Cooley doesn't seem to pass the puck very often. Just hangs on to it and dangles, and then tries the Michigan multiple times per game

 

[Leaf Fans]

Hope so but he’s floating out there. Maybe he and Cooley just don’t mix well because he looks almost disinterested as Cooley showboats.

Knies looks the part, but doesn’t back it up. I’ve watched him play 20-25 times now and the one thing that stands out? You always expect more. Not because he’s a Leafs prospect and we all want him to do well, but because his confidence level doesn’t seem to be there. He dumps when he shouldn’t, chips when he shouldn’t. I dare to say, there’s some laziness there.

Right now, he’s nowhere near the NHL.

Let’s see tomorrow night. He’ll be up against real NHL quality dmen prospects and defensive forwards. If he steps up and plays with some confidence and determination, he can make up some ground. Right now though, he’s by far the most disappointing player in the tournament.

He has played well. Has got some chances and hounds the puck. He is not at all lazy. You have only watched him around 25 times. He has definitely been a cut above as a Gopher and has looked like he belonged at the Olympics. The only lazyness, if it could even be called that, was with Tri City when he had an illness. I think he will be a Leaf this year. Hopefully mid April after winning the National Championship.

 

[Fogelhund]

The idea that he's just going to be a big bodied energy guy in the 3rd line doesn't line up much with the eye test too.

He's got a good vision/iq of the play happening in front of him and a good set of hands.

Doesn't make him a lock to be a top six guy. But he can definitely get there with the right development

He definitely looks like a top six complimentary type player to me. Plenty of room to improve, but he does so much right. We are two to three years away from seeing how good he can be. (By that, I mean after he learns the NHL game, gains a bit of strength and fully adapts, he’ll be in the NHL before that)

 

[stickty111]

There’s a reason I don’t very often. Because when you have an educated opinion, you get comments like this. Honestly searched for his name and thought it was in the prospects forum but regardless. If we don’t think Knies is a concern, we’re fooling ourselves.

Knies has been as expected. A good complementary player and been solid. He has been nowhere near dissapointing. Funny your 25 games opinion go against what scouts have said about him so I think I trust the scouts on this one. If we think 3 games here means something, we're fooling ourselves.
Knies's performance at Minnesota mean more towards his NHL chances. He's NHL ready or close to it.

 

[rocketman588]

He hasn't been in a competitive game yet. He will though starting with Sweden tomorrow.

When you're playing garbage teams you should be more likely to dominate them then good teams.

That's just simple logical thinking

 

[Leaf Fans]

When you're playing garbage teams you should be more likely to dominate them then good teams.

That's just simple logical thinking

Not by you. Anyway, the US will have their first test tomorrow. Knies had played well so far and when the games matter ; he will make more of an impact. Competition can bring the best out of people especially in sport.

 

[rocketman588]

Not by you. Anyway, the US will have their first test tomorrow. Knies had played well so far and when the games matter ; he will make more of an impact. Competition can bring the best out of people especially in sport.

Yes you're right good players fall asleep for 3/4 of the games then show up"when it matters".

He has 1 point all tournament with the US but yes you're right he's just saving it all for Sweden. What an idiotic thought process

I think he's being misused by team USA and hell contribute to the team but comments like this one are why people shred us as leafs fans so often

 

[Leaf Fans]

Yes you're right good players fall asleep for 3/4 of the games then show up"when it matters".

He has 1 point all tournament with the US but yes you're right he's just saving it all for Sweden. What an idiotic thought process

That is your opinion. My opinion is that competition brings out the best in players. I agree with your assessment of your thought process. It is idiotic. Good players fall asleep for 3/4 of the game and you tried project your opinion on to me. LOL.

 

[rocketman588]

That is your opinion. My opinion is that competition brings out the best in players. I agree with your assessment of your thought process. It is idiotic. Good players fall asleep for 3/4 of the game and you tried project your opinion on to me. LOL.

Knies struggling doesn't matter because he will turn it on when it counts, " because he is a competitior" is what you were saying. Sports don't just work that way

Ill put it for you in an easier way to read because comprehensive thought isn't your strong point

If your playing a bunch of 4th graders and are struggling

You're not all of a sudden going to score goals in a men's league.

He's playing the worst teams in the tournament. Players don't just not show up in 3/4 of the games in an international tournament and then play well in the big games. Because the games where you play worse competition are significantly easier to score ( shown by how many goals team USA has scored).

I'm sure everyone would be fine if bedard hadn't scored all tournament "because he'll turn it on when it matters"

 

[Leaf Fans]

Knies struggling doesn't matter because he will turn it on when it counts, " because he is a competitior" is what you were saying. Sports don't just work that way

Ill put it for you in an easier way to read because comprehensive thought isn't your strong point

If your playing a bunch of 4th graders and are struggling

You're not all of a sudden going to score goals in a men's league.

He's playing the worst teams in the tournament. Players don't just not show up in 3/4 of the games in an international tournament and then play well in the big games. Because the games where you play worse competition are significantly easier to score ( shown by how many goals team USA has scored).

I'm sure everyone would be fine if bedard hadn't scored all tournament "because he'll turn it on when it matters"

No, I am saying "Knies had played well so far and when the games matter ; he will make more of an impact." And that " " "competition usually brings out the best in people especially in sport." Bedard will turn it on when it matters. He is like the next generational play and when the competition gets better so will he.
You said, "...good players fall asleep for 3/4 of the games then show up"when it matters"...good players fall asleep for 3/4 of the games then show up"when it matters". Not me. You just tried usurp my opinion.

 

[rocketman588]

No, I am saying "Knies had played well so far and when the games matter ; he will make more of an impact." And that " " "competition usually brings out the best in people especially in sport." Bedard will turn it on when it matters. He is like the next generational play and when the competition gets better so will he.
You said, "...good players fall asleep for 3/4 of the games then show up"when it matters"...good players fall asleep for 3/4 of the games then show up"when it matters". Not me. You just tried usurp my op

Bedard has actually contributed majorly to his teams point total

Knies has not. If Bedard had knies point total he would be getting shredded. Because knies along with the rest of his line has been pretty trash.

You don't go from making a minimal impact to making a massive one when the competition gets more difficult.

You're just making a Moronic point then having the inability to use reading comprehension and use logical thought

 

[Leaf Fans]

Bedard has actually contributed majorly to his teams point total

Knies has not. If Bedard had knies point total he would be getting shredded. Because knies along with the rest of his line has been pretty trash.

You don't go from making a minimal impact to making a massive one when the competition gets more difficult.

You're just making a Moronic point then having the inability to use reading comprehension and use logical thought

No, I am making logical points, and you are just whinnying and moaning and name calling because I disagree with you.

 

[rocketman588]

No, I am making logical points, and you are just whinnying and moaning and name calling because I disagree with you.

You're main point is that knies can turn on his productivity ( of which there has been little) because the teams are better it's extremely illogical.

No one just shows up after playing poorly against teams way below your level then plays lights out when it gets more difficult.

It's why there's never been someone to score 5 career OHL goals in 60 games then win a scoring title.

Life doesn't work that way

As I've said above the easy explanation may be his line doesn't suit him but they're not all of a sudden going to show up against Sweden and click.

 

[Leaf Fans]

You're main point is that knies can turn on his productivity ( of which there has been little) because the teams are better it's extremely illogical.

No one just shows up after playing poorly against worst teams then plays lights out.

No, my main point (again) is that Knies has played well, and that he will have a bigger impact when the games are more competitive. He has not played poorly ( again that is your opinion, not mine). Many players get better in more meaningful games. Competition can bring the best out of people especially in sport.

 

[rocketman588]

No, my main point (again) is that Knies has played well, and that he will have a bigger impact when the games are more competitive. He has not played poorly ( again that is your opinion, not mine). Many players get better in more meaningful games. Competition can bring the best out of people especially in sport.

So your main point is that someone who has had 1 point against Germany and Switzerland will turn it on because competition brings out the best in people in sport got it.

This is an international competition you'd think that would be enough for him but guess not

 

[Morbo]

It's ok to admit he's been disappointing. I'm sure we were all expecting more than 1 secondary assist on 19 American goals. doesn't mean he won't make it.

 

[Leaf Fans]

So your main point is that someone who has had 1 point against Germany and Switzerland will turn it on because competition brings out the best in people in sport got it.

This is an international competition you'd think that would be enough for him but guess not

My main point is again: Knies has played well, and that he will have a bigger impact when the games are more competitive. Yes, this is an international competition it is enough for him. As the competition ramps up, so will the players.

 

[rocketman588]

It's ok to admit he's been disappointing. I'm sure we were all expecting more than 1 secondary assist on 19 American goals. doesn't mean he won't make it.

Especially in a tournament where the lead up was disjointed due to NHL camps and he's in a weird roll it definitely doesn't mean too much. He can also go through slumps and still be good (just look at caulfield)

However we don't need to act like he's lighting the world on fire or all of a sudden going to turn it on because of that it's not the end of the world if he has a rough one he's getting another one in 4 months