Confirmed with Link: Leafs sign F Matthew Knies to ELC (3 years, $925k AAV)

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Wish we got to see more of Knies with Matthews and Marner. Hopefully we get more of that in at least one these final two games

 

[TMLAM34]

The only thing I wish we saw Knies do a little differently would be finishing checks. A few times when he went for a puck battle along the boards, he avoided using his body against the opposing player who had puck possession.

He’s young and he’ll learn so I’m not worried.

 

[Peace Frog]

The only thing I wish we saw Knies do a little differently would be finishing checks. A few times when he went for a puck battle along the boards, he avoided using his body against the opposing player who had puck possession.

He’s young and he’ll learn so I’m not worried.

That was the part of the game that I thought he shied away from too. When he got rocked ( with a borderline late hit, imo), I thought that might get him a little fired up to go and hit someone back.

All in all though, I think he did amazing, considering all the circumstances. Glad we have him and I think that, once he gets settled in to being a pro player and gains that experience and confidence, he’s going to be a real solid player for us.

 

[Future]

He had a long tough weekend and did OK. Could he become the new Zach Hyman? May not be as fast, but he’s big and strong.

This may be a controversial take but I think he is more naturally skilled and has better offensive instincts than Hyman had. What made Hyman so effective as an offensive player was his willingness to attack the net. That’s something that Knies did a ton in college, and hopefully will continue that in the NHL.

 

[Fogelhund]

It was his first game. He looked like it was his first game, and hadn't had a practise with the team. This isn't something that I'd judge him much on, though there were a number of areas that you'd like to see improved. We've got a pretty good team, even if he doesn't make the playoffs roster, and if he does, that means it's better than it was before.

 

[ToDavid]

Looked to me like he’s physically ready, at least. There were times he looked like he didn’t really know where to be or what to do (and the notable pizza to the middle of the ice). But at this point in the season it’s impossible to tell how much of that is development and how much is just fitting in with a new team and new system without any practices.

One thing that stood out to me was a few shifts after the bad giveaway(s) he had the confidence to make the same chip play off the boards into the centre of the ice for the breakout. It’s good to see he wasn’t dwelling on the bad play from earlier.

IMO I don’t think it’s even a question that’s really going to be settled this season. The only thing the team cares about once the playoffs start is winning 16 games. All it takes is a bit of a hot streak and he’ll play, regardless of what his longer-term outlook looks like. He could contribute every game and still start next season in the A. Alternatively, he could sit in the press box for the next couple months and then come into next year’s camp and steal a roster spot. For now, I’m just going to enjoy the show.

 

[kevsh]

He should not be on the playoff roster unless there are injuries.

It's not on him, it's simply that he will not have enough time with the team before the playoffs start and that will lead to mistakes. As past playoff performances by this team have shown, there is no margin of error.

One blind pass turnover on a PP, one really, really bad clearing attempt, one high stick on a PK 200 feet from their own net, etc. As we've also seen vets make mistakes too but with a rookie with less than 5 games pro experience, putting him in there game 1 is just too risky.

 

[57special]

Nylander and Knies are not similar players. The best NHL comparison for Knies is James Van Riemsdyk. They are very similar players

Neither is a good comp.

i personally think Anders Lee is the closest comparison i can think of for Knies as far as tools, play style and potential upside are concerned

Nope. Far better in the open ice. Love Lee, but he's a bit of a tank. Lee is better net front, but you can say that about 99% of the league.
Knies is like a throwback player.

 

[VanW27]

Looking at it from Keefe's perspective he didn’t win a spot last night. Liked lots of what I saw but the turnover at the blue line was brutal, which he followed up with another very similar one and later on did nearly the same thing at the same spot but Acciari managed to get the puck out of danger.

Now, as people have said, first game, no practice, so not judging the guys long term ability or role on it but from the coaches perspective Knies has 2 games to show he's adjusted to the NHL and up to speed with the team and isn't a turnover risk in his own end.

 

[57special]

This may be a controversial take but I think he is more naturally skilled and has better offensive instincts than Hyman had. What made Hyman so effective as an offensive player was his willingness to attack the net. That’s something that Knies did a ton in college, and hopefully will continue that in the NHL.

agree 100%. Whether he ends up being the player Hyman is is another question, but has already shown he is vg at playing with elite talent in Minnesota, which is one of Hyman's strengths. Some talented guys can't do it.

Knies's talents should be a vg fit for TO. They need some talented grit. It might take a while, but Knies is vg in board battles, and in making something out of nothing in small spaces. He was fairly fast in college, but he'll have to work on his speed in the NHL. Not a slug, though.

I just wonder what happens when he gets challenged to a fight by a guy like Frederic.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Neither is a good comp.


Nope. Far better in the open ice. Love Lee, but he's a bit of a tank. Lee is better net front, but you can say that about 99% of the league.
Knies is like a throwback player.

I have always seen a bit of Oshie in Knies game. I know Knies is a bit bigger but I can see that kind of see the being the player he rounds into. No comps are going to be perfect though.

 

[57special]

I have always seen a bit of Oshie in Knies game. I know Knies is a bit bigger but I can see that kind of see the being the player he rounds into. No comps are going to be perfect though.

Yes, good comp. Maybe a bit faster than Oshie...can't remember what he was like when he was young, though i should. He showed up to my Peewee team's practice years ago. Knies is a bit bigger, and has the potential to be even more physical, but you never know how college boys will adapt to the NHL.

 

[Dion TheFluff]

Neither is a good comp.


Nope. Far better in the open ice. Love Lee, but he's a bit of a tank. Lee is better net front, but you can say that about 99% of the league.
Knies is like a throwback player.

Knies speed kind of surprised me a bit. Don't really see the skating concerns that people were going on about. I still kind of like Lee as comparable at least for there size, physicality and work down low but there's a bit of Alex Tuch in his game as well. Definitely an intriguing prospect.

 

[Eye Test]

This may be a controversial take but I think he is more naturally skilled and has better offensive instincts than Hyman had. What made Hyman so effective as an offensive player was his willingness to attack the net. That’s something that Knies did a ton in college, and hopefully will continue that in the NHL.

Yeah agree, knies reminds me the most of Matthews. Hyman has no hands, knies does.

Never seen him play before but he looks as good as expected. Glad he wasn’t traded for a rental.

 

[Peasy]

Knies speed kind of surprised me a bit. Don't really see the skating concerns that people were going on about. I still kind of like Lee as comparable at least for there size, physicality and work down low but there's a bit of Alex Tuch in his game as well. Definitely an intriguing prospect.

His first few steps are a bit slow but other than that his skating is good enough for the NHL.

 

[57special]

Knies speed kind of surprised me a bit. Don't really see the skating concerns that people were going on about. I still kind of like Lee as comparable at least for there size, physicality and work down low but there's a bit of Alex Tuch in his game as well. Definitely an intriguing prospect.

I know all three prospects pretty well. Lee played locally in my town. Tuch was a Wild prospect, and Knies plays locally on the Gophers. At the same age;

Physically
1- Lee
2- Knies
3- Tuch

Speed

1- Knies
2- Tuch(didn't get fast till later, in Vegas)




3- Lee


Puck skills

1- Knies
2- Lee
3- Tuch

Shot

1- Lee?
2- Knies
3- Tuch( he still had a good one.)

Intangibles

1 - Lee/Knies
2 -Tuch


Basically, Lee would be a great player if he could skate. Tuch has really developed well as he has aged into his mid 20's, though injuries have hampered him. Knies...who knows? Zero red flags that I am aware of.

 

[57special]

Knies speed kind of surprised me a bit. Don't really see the skating concerns that people were going on about. I still kind of like Lee as comparable at least for there size, physicality and work down low but there's a bit of Alex Tuch in his game as well. Definitely an intriguing prospect.

Well, the Gophers have some really good skaters on their team(one of them being Leaf's prospect, Koster), so compared to them he might look a bit stiff. FYI, early on Tuch wasn't thought to be a great skater, and look how that has changed!

 

[exporta]

He should not be on the playoff roster unless there are injuries.

It's not on him, it's simply that he will not have enough time with the team before the playoffs start and that will lead to mistakes. As past playoff performances by this team have shown, there is no margin of error.

One blind pass turnover on a PP, one really, really bad clearing attempt, one high stick on a PK 200 feet from their own net, etc. As we've also seen vets make mistakes too but with a rookie with less than 5 games pro experience, putting him in there game 1 is just too risky.

Without going into great detail, there were parts of his game I liked. That said, too many mistakes to dress in the playoffs.

Galchenyuk is a prime example of how a unforced give away could cost a series.

 

[kb]

People seem to be harping on one mistake as proof that he shouldn't be in the playoff lineup.

How about giving him the 3 regular season games and then evaluate?

 

[4uston M4tthews]

This all but guarantees Matthews stays right where he belongs.

Suck it Arizona and suck it HF boards

 

[cupcrazyman2]

What a surprise

I still feel bad for him that he didn't win the national championship last night.

Loses The Frozen 4 & The Hobey Baker
What a bust ! lol
I think he will do just fine as a Leaf.

 

[Martin Skoula]

As bad as the giveaway looked it seemed more like an instinct play where he was expecting Cooley to be there rather than just bad IQ or low panic threshold. There was a play there, just not in our system.

 

[Future]

As bad as the giveaway looked it seemed more like an instinct play where he was expecting Cooley to be there rather than just bad IQ or low panic threshold. There was a play there, just not in our system.

Yes, if that’s Cooley, he’s looking to fill that lane and explode up the ice. Only center we have with that mindset and skating ability is Matthews. Certainly not Acciari

 

[Menzinger]

Funnily enough the most common worry before his signing was concerns he physically would take a while to adjust A- which wasn't the case last night. He's fully capable right now to battle for pucks in the corner.

At the moment he just needs to mentally adjust to the NHL game. Let those nerves calm with time and he'll be making smarter decisions.

I also wouldn't try to pigeon hole him yet with any comparisons - ie I don't think he's much like Hyman

 

[kevsh]

People seem to be harping on one mistake as proof that he shouldn't be in the playoff lineup.

How about giving him the 3 regular season games and then evaluate?

Personally, I wasn't evaluating him on the one mistake, just the fact that he's inexperienced and therefore more likely to make errors. Three games isn't going to change that perception.

Besides, the roster spots should go to the guys that earned it and I can't justify benching any of the presumed starting 12 to get him in there.