Expectations for Matthew Knies.

Rob Brown

Way She Goes
Dec 17, 2009
17,413
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I'd say around 50 points, but could easily be closer to 60 if he plays top 6 minutes for the majority of the season.
 
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LeafalCrusader

Registered User
Oct 3, 2013
10,233
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Winnipeg
Will depend on where Keefe deploys him. Is he on the 3rd line with Kampf and Jarnkrok or with the core four in the top six. Showed a lot of promise in the playoffs. Think we got a good one.
 
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Squiffy

Victims, rn't we all
Oct 21, 2006
14,010
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Toronto
20 goals, 25 assists, 70 points.

-----

Ya, line combos. I mean you'd pencil him in on line 3 at the moment yes, with probably little to no PP time. With a full line up anyways, and first one up to plug a top 2 line hole?

All things considered above.. 15-20 goals, sure, 20-25 assists-ish? 35-45 points? That feels high for a rookie third liner, he looked good in playoffs but was getting top line allocations. A lot of variables.
 

Budz

Registered User
Jan 28, 2013
2,197
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Needs to learn how to be pro. No reason to think he won’t be successful without some minor hiccups.
 

LeafSteel

GO LEAFS GO!!!
Mar 5, 2014
6,191
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Toronto
He needs to be on the 2nd line with Tavares and Marner.

Let Matthews line draw the tougher assignments and top defensive pairings.

Let Marner create space and Tavares be literally an on ice coach for him, as well as on the bench.

He’s still a kid and a rookie. Don’t waste him playing on the bottom 6 with less skilled players, but don’t throw him into the fire of playing other teams top lines and top defensive pairings.
 
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Ziggdiezan

Registered User
Apr 10, 2015
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If the playoffs were any indication and he gets a top 6 role I would be surprised if he didn't put up like 20-25 goals
 

Jimmy Firecracker

They Fired Sheldon!
Mar 30, 2010
37,397
38,500
Mississauga
A lot will depend on deployment. While I think he's a virtual lock to be on the roster there's a lot of competition for those top six left wing slots. Not to mention powerplay configuration and minutes. Leafs this season have enough offensive punch to run two capable PP units, so we'll see if Keefe adjusts and uses both an equal amount or if he still over-relies on the first PP unit. If he keeps to old habits then Knies better hope he's on the first unit otherwise the opportunity for powerplay points will be low.

17 Goals and 24 Assists for 41 points.
 
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Squiffy

Victims, rn't we all
Oct 21, 2006
14,010
3,860
Toronto
He needs to be on the 2nd line with Tavares and Marner.

Let Matthews line draw the tougher assignments and top defensive pairings.

Let Marner create space and Tavares be literally an on ice coach for him, as well as on the bench.

He’s still a kid and a rookie. Don’t waste him playing on the bottom 6 with less skilled players, but don’t throw him into the fire of playing other teams too lines and top defensive pairings.

You and @ACC1224 aren't friends of mine in Week 1. Go 9ers! :)

Where's that NFL thread at?
 
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LEAFANFORLIFE23

Registered User
Jun 17, 2010
47,338
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He needs to be on the 2nd line with Tavares and Marner.

Let Matthews line draw the tougher assignments and top defensive pairings.

Let Marner create space and Tavares be literally an on ice coach for him, as well as on the bench.

He’s still a kid and a rookie. Don’t waste him playing on the bottom 6 with less skilled players, but don’t throw him into the fire of playing other teams too lines and top defensive pairings.

Management has already said Domi starts on the wing so unless Bertuzzi is on the 3rd line, and I highly highly doubt that Knies starts on the 3rd line and he should.

I think he gets his shot In the top 6 because There is going to be an injury at some point but I think you need to earn that and as of August 28 2023 There are 6 established, proven top 6 forwards ahead of him.

Will that change? Hopefully because that means he's doing great, but right now today August 28 2023 he's #7 for sure, arguably #8 on the depth chart In terms of overall forward depth
 

Niagara Bill

Registered User
Oct 11, 2021
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If he takes coaching from Mitchy he will not last the year. He is a mature rookie.
He appears to be more Hyman than MM type of player. If he plays like Bunting his teamates will turn on him.
Reaves etc should be able to provide cover as he learns to play the game.
He looks strong on skates, wide body, likes the front of the net.
I hope he keeps his gloves on for 30 or 40 games while he discovers how strong guys are are. He needs to turn down challenges for a while without showing fear (like Bunting did almost every game) .He is not a fighter, but eventually he must show he will fight.
I see in time a Bob Gainey. If he is more than that, wow.
 
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Nineteen67

HFBoards Sponsor
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Dec 12, 2017
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125 PIMs.

Seriously, if he plays 75 games, learns to play solid D, chips in 15 goals and gets some Calder votes it would be a terrific start.

He’s never played an 82 game schedule so it won’t be a shock if he has a stretch where he looks out of place.
 
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Hugh Mongusbig

Registered User
Mar 7, 2012
991
501
Knies will start out on the 3rd line, but will be be moved into the top 6 role when Bertuzzi suffers his injury. At which point, Knies begins to play so well in that role that there will then be debate over who deserves the spot once Bert comes back.
 

Larcos_Unal

Excuses are for losers
Jul 6, 2007
5,876
6,996
Toronto
45-50 points
I expect he'll start strong on the top 6 but he'll slow down as the season wears on. He's never had an 82 game schedule and historically, college guys start to feel it.
 
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Menzinger

Kessel4LadyByng
Apr 24, 2014
42,061
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St. Paul, MN
Low end top six production (40ish points). He'll get minimum PP opportunity, and will likely jump between the 3rd and second line. He absolutely has the career potential to go beyond this but a full rookie season will always have adjustments/ups and downs
 

AndyWozniewski

Registered User
Jan 18, 2017
382
574
Probably starts on the Marlies this year. I don't think Keefe/management want him in the bottom 6. And he's not beating out Domi or Bertuzzi in the top 6. He'll get first line minutes on the Marlies where he'll get used to playing a rigorous 82 game season (I know it's 72 in the AHL but point still stands).
 

shaner8989

Registered User
Aug 6, 2005
23,574
5,741
He’s going to create a ton of offense for his line mates due to his puck pursuit. Not sure he will produce huge numbers yet but that will come
 
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