LW Matthew Knies - Tri-City Storm, USHL (2021, 57th, TOR)

[Stephen]

I've never seen an NHL draft say "This player compares to Auston Matthews. Not in terms of goal scoring or skill level, just stylistically." It wouldn't even be a comparison at that point.

That's pretty much exactly what Jeff O'Neal did on the TVA Sports broadcast a few weeks ago.

Stylistic comparisons are a very common way of talking about prospects. It gives fans an initial template they can reference and then additional details and modifiers help flesh out the picture. For example, a very main stream article:

Who do the top 2018 NHL draft picks remind us of?

What do the Buffalo Sabres really get with Rasmus Dahlin? How about Brian Leetch? We compare some top 2018 draft picks to players you already know.

www.espn.com

 

[HuGort]

A Pacioretti replacement - would be a great fit, and it's not impossible at all if the Flames lose early enough. I'd like Buffalo to be able to take him with the Knights 1st too, but I don't see our GM trading up.

I feel like he's destined to go in the 12-16, so he's probably out of the question for playoffs teams unless they trade up.

If Habs lose lottery and draft 5 or 6th, I was thinking on trading down to 8th or so picking up Cutter and an extra 2nd.

 

[93LEAFS]

Stylistic comparisons are a very common way of talking about prospects. It gives fans an initial template they can reference and then additional details and modifiers help flesh out the picture. For example, a very main stream article:

Who do the top 2018 NHL draft picks remind us of?

What do the Buffalo Sabres really get with Rasmus Dahlin? How about Brian Leetch? We compare some top 2018 draft picks to players you already know.

www.espn.com

Stylistic comparisons generally turn into disasters real quick when people look for the best possible player of that style to use. I remember a certain "draft expert" throwing around Laine reminding him of Mario Lemieux, and that's why he'd take him over Matthews.

 

[Antiillafire]

Barely noticed him against the Czechs

 

[William H Bonney]

He was probably the team's biggest disappointment. On one hand it'll help tamper some of the overzealous Toronto hype, but on the other, he's too good of a player to be that invisible in a junior tournament.

 

[snipes]

Wasn’t noticeable at all against the Czechs

 

[oooooooooohCanada]

Wasn’t noticeable at all against the Czechs

nobody was

 

[Isaac Nootin]

Has anyone mentioned if he was noticeable against the Czechs?

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Has anyone mentioned if he was noticeable against the Czechs?

Invisible

 

[JohnLennon]

Is it just me or was Knies invisible against the Czechs?

 

[Lavar Ball]

Pretty sure I saw him out there

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Summer tournament, whole team was bad. Don't care. If he plays like that in the NCAA this season, then I will care.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

I think he is smart to go back to school for another year. Big ups to him for realizing it.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

After reading the hype of him on this site all year from fans, I was PUMPED to finally see him in this tournament.... Unfortunately I haven't been impressed at all. Sure it's just a small sample size but it was the first time I've been able to watch him and I have been disappointed.

Damn first impression didn't do it for me!lol

 

[TheBeastCoast]

After reading the hype of him on this site all year from fans, I was PUMPED to finally see him in this tournament.... Unfortunately I haven't been impressed at all. Sure it's just a small sample size but it was the first time I've been able to watch him and I haven't been impressed at all.

Yes it was a very small sample size you are correct.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Yes it was a very small sample size you are correct.

BUT it is a weird summer tourney... There have been quite a few guys I was hoping more from... I am kinda taking this tournament with a grain of salt... But I always just hate getting a bad first impression is all

 

[Golden_Jet]

Good thing he decided to go back to college, as was an underwhelming tournament for him.

 

[DatDude44]

Luv his game, needs to improve straight ahead skating though, he's very hunched over and lacks power in his stride due to it. He's fantastic on the walls and on the puck and has nice skill to compliment his wall and net front play.

 

[Szechwan]

nobody was

Hughes was pretty noticeable...

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

Has looked very pedestrian during my viewings; hyped through the roof, lol.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

He's slow and lacks drive. I don't get why Knies is so overrated on here.

 

[Maplebeasts]

If I remember correctly the last guy we had who HF thought was gonna bust following their WJC was Marner. There's no need to worry over a 5 game sample in August.

 

[Altimus]

He's slow and lacks drive. I don't get why Knies is so overrated on here.

to drive up his trade value.

 

[bert]

Has looked very pedestrian during my viewings; hyped through the roof, lol.

I was told he is better than Grieg or at the very least comparable. I'll have to watch him more I guess but in my viewings I haven't seen it. Long way to go though big player should have a longer development curve. Smart to go back to school.

 

[Hollel]

Love when everyone acts totally sane on the internet. Just so I understand... over hype generated from D-1 USHL season, 2nd half D-0 USHL season, D+1 college season + olympics + projectable NHL qualities. Harsh reality realized after 5 game mid summer sample.

We watch season after season legit NHLers take pre season + some weeks to really start firing on all cylinders. Just keep some perspective here lol.