Player Discussion How are you feeling about Matthew Knies these days?

[Menzinger]

 

[LeafEgo]

How many rookies have come into the league and played their first season on the top line of a contending team with two whiz kid all stars that have been glued to the hip for seven years and whom most of the league can't keep up with?

I'd put him somewhere around expectations, which got a bit lofty after the post season last year, and he hits like a truck.

 

[93LEAFS]

Kid plays, surprised by the amount of people disappointed. He wasn't gonna walk in and be John LeClair

 

[meefer]

Between him and Robertson, I can see 40 goals out of LW from those two next year. The pity is the sad loss of Amirov. Add in Holmberg, and we could have been looking at a very strong, young LW group, f*ck cancer.

 

[Havoc]

He's doing better than Jakob Vranas rookie year. Vrana was cost effective ELC top 6 for the Caps Stanley Cup win.

We are starting to round into form.

 

[Crazy Monkey]

He's a hell of a player. Really excited to see him get better and better

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

Knies has more goals, and the same number of points, as Tyler Bertuzzi.

That's better than I expected. Dubas gets credit for that pick. Now it's up to Treliving to make something out of the kid.

As a fan I have a tendency to overreact.

Not quite the "hysterical ex that shows up at the door drunk at 3:00 in the morning" type. But close. So when I see yet another inept management group in charge of my favourite team I get upset.

Saying you'd rather have Treliving over Dubas is like saying you'd rather step in bull shit over dog shit.

Knies play this year has been the only redeeming quality for either. The Leafs are a horribly run organization. With a GM who sucks at everything.

Seeing Treliving's biggest offseason acquisition being outplayed by a rookie his predecessor drafted is proof enough of that.

 

[Hoglund4MvP]

For some reason his IQ goes to zero on zone exits and clears

 

[ToDavid]

Don’t really care about the lack of points at all. He’s a dog on the puck and slowly coming into his strength. Definitely has the occasional boneheaded defensive play, but every rookie does. It almost feels more disappointing for him because he doesn’t look like a rookie the vast majority of the time.

I’m sure the goals and points will come but as long as he’s chasing down pucks for Matthews and Marner, he’s earning his keep.

 

[RunItBackAgain]

As a fan I have a tendency to overreact.

Not quite the "hysterical ex that shows up at the door drunk at 3:00 in the morning" type. But close. So when I see yet another inept management group in charge of my favourite team I get upset.

You're doing your damnedest mate. Keep up the strong work and you will one day obtain the title of "hysterical ex that shows up at the door drunk at 3:00 in the morning".

Keep believing in your dreams and anything is possible!

 

[DraftSchmaft]

He unfortunately cannot remain in the top 6 (*The QoC will be too high) if he continues to act brain dead at the blue line.

That top 8 in the East will bury those.

 

[darrylsittler27]

He needs to go 3rd line and find another gear come playoffs.

 

[stats1]

First full year. He’s what I expected. Power forwards this young usually take a few years to really own their skill sets. He’s got a nice shot just has to learn to find the quiet areas around the net. He’s going to be a good one.

As much as people rag on the Leafs for not having a lot of young assets. Knies, Cowan, Niemala, Minten, Woll. Pretty damn good to me

 

[Commander Clueless]

He's a rookie making rookie mistakes. Needs to work on the little things

The tools are there. I think he's going to be great

 

[therealkoho]

The kid is an absolute bull, with soft hands and a laser for a wrist shot. He understands the game and has a high IQ, you'll rarely find him in a bad spot or out of position.

I'm not sure how much more is there, but he's certainly looking like a top 6 guy 25/40 if he starts getting PP time.

 

[BiD]

There are many valid comparisons to make, one would be Lupul in his All-Star year.

 

[WTFMAN99]

He's not a finished product and he's still awesome.

 

[TMLAM34]

He’s definitely exceeded my expectations and he’s far from a finished product.

 

[Da Mash]

He is 21ys old and is still developing. The kid has alot of potential. Will just get better

 

[Maple Leaf]

alright i guess

 

[Strangle]

Knies has been developing pretty nicely, imo

It’s going to take him a couple of years to reach his potential

 

[Leaf4Life79]

He is awesome! Zero complaints here.

 

[thewave]

Another plug we will need to trade as soon as he is up for real money

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

He was in a rut back in January which makes sense given this is the most hockey he's ever played in a season. He's looked a lot better of late and a big reason for that is Shane Doan, who gave Knies some advice during his slump.

'He's got your back': How Shane Doan is influencing the Maple Leafs in his first season in Toronto

Part player, part coach, part executive, Shane Doan's role with the Maple Leafs is always evolving but his impact his noticeable.

theathletic.com

The Toronto Maple Leafs were mired in a three-game losing streak in January when Doan pulled Knies aside after a team meeting. The rookie’s game was slipping; his NHL ice time had fallen below 10 minutes for the first time. Doan’s 1,540 games of NHL experience speak for itself and he didn’t feel the need to sugar-coat matters. Doan had been in Knies’ shoes before and gave him the kind of advice he wanted to hear as a player, too.

“Try to get three shots and three hits, try not to focus on scoring,” Knies remembers Doan telling him. “He said he knew he’d have a good game if he hit those statistics.”

In the immediate games afterward, Knies’ ice time increased as he showed a spark with Doan’s message in his head.

Beyond that his season has been impressive. Growing pains to be sure with regards to decision making at times but the guy is 21 and is a truck. The combination of size and skill he brings will be a boon for us for years to come.

 

[hamzarocks]

1. He was overrated by leaf fans and across the league. People here had him having a 50+ pt season in the top 6.

2. He is a good rookie at 21. Plays a valuable style, has some skill. A guy who can be kept as long as he is cheap if hes only a 30-35 pt guy. Hopefully takes a big step next year

3. As of today, I would have done the reported Knied + 1st deal for Hagel + MAF.