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

[IPS]

People penciling him into the first line are going to be disappointed.

I guess it's possible they try him there in these regular season games but I'd bet against it.

I'd love to see a scoring based 3rd line for him to get in on.

Knies-Tavares-Kerfoot would be awesome for a 3rd line.

 

[93gilmour93]

Can’t wait to see him wearing the Leafs crest. Let’s Go!!!!

 

[TheBeastCoast]

People penciling him into the first line are going to be disappointed.

I guess it's possible they try him there in these regular season games but I'd bet against it.

Why would they not put him there in the next 3 games? The goal should be seeing what he can do. Giving him 10 minutes a game on the 4th line is the opposite of that.

 

[nuck]

Would you trade him for Swayman?

Not a chance. If ever there was a chance a guy is a construct of the team in front of him this is it. Different tier from Ullmark. New Jersey was notorious for great looking #2 goalies but that was their peak.

 

[LeafChief]

Why would they not put him there in the next 3 games? The goal should be seeing what he can do. Giving him 10 minutes a game on the 4th line is the opposite of that.

My assumption would be that you would want to see what he can do in a spot where you may use him in the playoffs.

I would guess 3rd line.

 

[TheScandal89]

I was thinking they'd use him on the 3rd line with ROR like this

Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Jarnkrok - Tavares - Nylander
Knies - ROR - Lafferty / Kerfoot
ZAR - Kampf - Accari

But if ROR is gonna be on the 2nd line with Tavares then that changes things depending on who gets rest the next couple of games.

My hope for Knies right now is just to do everything Kerfoot can do 5v5 and PP2 but better, anything else is a bonus. My guess is his competition for a fully healthy roster spot is him, Lafferty and long shot ZAR. 'm not expecting him to be on the 1st line right off the bat, but if he is that good we'll all be thrilled.

 

[Nineteen67]

Let him play this week and see if he‘s developed enough this season to potentially fill in when there’s an injury during the playoffs.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

My assumption would be that you would want to see what he can do in a spot where you may use him in the playoffs.

I would guess 3rd line.

I would feed him a bunch of ice time. We likely are going to be resting guys anyways.

 

[saffronleaf]

dramatic overpayment

 

[kb]

dramatic overpayment

Unprecedented.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

The last player I remember jumping from college right into the NHL playoffs was Jeff Farkas. I think he actually looked not too bad. Granted, that was 23 years ago. At least Knies will get some games in reg season to tune up and be assessed.

Makar
Caufield
McAvoy

 

[kb]

Knies - Matthews - Marner
Bunting - Tavares - Nylander
Kerfoot - O'Rielly - Jarnkrok
Lafferty - Kampf - Acciari
ZAR

 

[Primary Assist]

This kid will have zero problems getting girls in Toronto. His face belongs on a magazine cover!

He literally looks like the most textbook jock you could imagine. Incredible genes. He will do just fine in the big leagues, both on and off the ice

 

[Namikaze Minato]

dramatic overpayment

Only 3 years? They clearly arent committed to Sparkle Motion.

 

[3headeddragon]

Thi

He is a big boy who will learn quickly that his skill needs to develop a lot to stay in the league. A 4th line will get him comfortable throwing some mass around with the big boys and allowing him to contribute.

This is what I'd like. Put him under no pressure, go forecheck and get use to the speed of the game. I could care less about point production.

Work your way up the line up kid.

 

[BigBlu]

xxxx

 

[Maple Leaf]

Let him play this week and see if he‘s developed enough this season to potentially fill in when there’s an injury during the playoffs.

Fill-in?

 

[WTFMAN99]

dramatic overpayment

Unproven kid getting 3 years term? DUMB

 

[BertCorbeau]

Nice that the Leafs have locked in home ice and they can rest guys while getting Knies into the line up in low leverage situations.

Honestly you might as well use him in various scenarios to see how he does in these last few games. Dressing him for 10 minutes or less per night seems like a wasted evaluation.

Give him the opportunity to see if lightning in a bottle strikes and he can come in hot.. If not, use him in a depth role where appropriate.

 

[meefer]

I'm wondering if Matthews talks with Keefe and says 'give him to me, I'll take care of him'.

 

[DopeyFish]

dramatic overpayment

it's also a max contract

bold

 

[LeafSteel]

Unproven kid getting 3 years term? DUMB

Complete and utter fail by Dubas that he's not locked up for 8 years.

Let the pre-worrying about re-signing him begin as soon as the off-season......

 

[The Iceman]

This kid will have zero problems getting girls in Toronto. His face belongs on a magazine cover!

This is WILLY's town until further notice...

 

[Cleetus]

The usual suspects got it wrong like every other time they post.

dont think Im a suspect here lol for a once! Cleetus behaved and let everyone else post there hot takes

Knies - Matthews - Marner
Knies - Tavares - Nylander
Knies - O'Rielly - Jarnkrok
Knies - Kampf - Acciari
Knies

fixed it for ya lol, should slot in somewhere!

 

[WillyC]

Some young guys mature quickly and are able to jump straight into the big leagues… it helps to have a man size body like Knies.

He also has high hockey IQ and soft hands… this could actually happen in these playoffs.