Can't complain at all about the Leafs drafting in recent years. We've churned out some really good players and there is 4 really good ones coming in Robertson, Knies, Niemelä and Amirov.
LW Matthew Knies - Tri-City Storm, USHL (2021, 57th, TOR)
- Thread starter Pavel Buchnevich
- Start date
Antiillafire
Registered User
Props to HockeyProspect.com who had him 13(!) on their final list. Looking way closer to reality than 57th
Morgs
#16 #34 #44 #88 #91
Had a goal called off (pushed the goalie into the net) and was absolutely robbed once. Was setting guys up all game, looked amazing out there.
He's been good all year. Has almost a throwback style. Good size and physicality, good hands, shot, and grit. Not blazing speed, but he gets there. Just seems to have that "it" factor of a guy who knows how to play.
Warden of the North
Ned Stark's head
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
How would you compare him to Boldy? You are someone that would be a good assessor of that comparison.
Both are skilled, but Boldy is more subtle, and very smart. Knies is more street smart, and direct. He doesn't mess around. Boldy does. I think Boldy might have the higher ceiling, but Knies game seems made for the NHL. Boldy can sometimes seem passive. I don't see that in Knies.
TheKrebsCycle
Throwing Confetti for Perfetti
Definitely looks like a player /prospect that stylistically the Leafs are currently lacking. Very little size in the system. For better or worse they've gone all In on skill but this looks like tremendous value.
Preposterone
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- Dec 6, 2013
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The Mazar-Knies- Cooley line looked really disruptive against the Finns. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if that ends up being a critical group and gets 2nd line responsibility at 5v5 throughout the tourney
CheckingLineCenter
Registered User
- Aug 10, 2018
- 9,940
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not to throw things off course, but has Broz at least been better than his statline?
(Drafted a spot later and teammates so this isn’t that off topic)
Yes, when I've watched, but I'd be lying if i said I watched as much Gophers this year. Schedule is all F'ed up, and the team so far is performing below expectations.
Isaac Nootin
Registered User
- Sep 28, 2017
- 7,903
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Forget the WJC's looks like Knies is headed to the Olympics!
What an impressive season so far.
Has to be one of the biggest early risers post draft! Certainly looks like mid 1st round talent!
LeafChief
Matthew Knies Enthusiast
Dion TheFluff
Registered User
- Jun 22, 2015
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a great video breakdown of Knies. Definitely worth a watch.
Evgeny Oliker
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- Mar 12, 2003
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great assessment of his play. He reminds me a little of older Dach. But Knies seems to have more power to his game. He will be a good one.
Love the Knies, Robertson and Niemela picks, all look like steals. Skeptical of the Amirov pick - the next 4 off the board were Guhle, Lukas Reichel, Mercer and Schneider, and if I were rating those 5 today, I’d put Amirov near the bottom, maybe last.
Overall very promising drafting recently though, quite psyched about Knies (and Robertson, and Niemela).
TheDoldrums
Registered User
LeafChief
Matthew Knies Enthusiast
Namikaze Minato
Registered User
Dumb, IMO. Let him dominate/work on skill on a vg Gophers team next year, sign him after the NCAA season, and play him in the spring if his play warrants it. He is a strong kid, but still very young, and could use some work on his skating. Do it the right way and have him hit the ground(ice) running, rather than bring him up too early and have him struggle. Lafreniere and Kakko were much more highly regarded, and look how hard it's been for them.
Doubt he be left in if he was struggling. But he's a big U20 that's among the best of his YOB in the world, among the best in the NCAA, and has shown the ability to compete against pro's in the Olympics. Should probably be in the A next year, and no harm in giving him a taste in the bigs to fuel a big summer.
TheBeastCoast
Registered User
It would probably just be giving him a taste of big league action down the stretch. If he isn't ready then he starts next season in the AHL no harm no foul. With these NCAA prospects especially the really good ones I am always a proponent of signing as early as possible. From the team perspective that is...can be better for the player to stay in certain cases.
For as very young player it is almost always better to leave him in college(see Makar). Even the jump to the AHL can be a shock. Gophers ahve a very talented team coming back, with great facilities. It's not like he won't be playing against those 2-4 years older than him, even there. The AHL can get pretty raw, and IMO is sometimes more about survival than working on skill for a young player. You want Knies working on his skills and skating so he doesn't end up as some middle six grinder.
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