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

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I posted my lineup, which answers all your questions.

So you did, so you think they are going to go to the former playoff MVP and cup champion and go "hey we know we paid a boatload for you, and you have been everything we wanted you to be and more, but we are going to gift wrap this raw rookie your spot in the lineup."

That's not going to happen.

If Knies is in the top It's because he's taken it away from somebody.

Not because it was handed to him for reasons.

The last a player got gift wrapped a spot was Garret Sparks

He failed miserably because he didn't have to earn it.

I want Knies to succeed but let him earn it.

 

[NitroF]

I get what people mean by earning the spot of a veteran, but it’s not like it’s a unalterable thing. Coaches juggle with lines to create sparks and pro players are aware of that. They already know Knies is suppose to join them to hopefully create that kind of spark. Nobody will be mad if he gets a go in the top 6 at some point and stays there if it helps balance the lines for the playoffs. If not, I suspect that would mean they are not ready yet as a group for a long run.

 

[TheDoldrums]

It is blowing my mind seeing people put Knies in the top 6 already for this year or next. How many players outside of elite prospects are top 6 right away?

keep in mind Michael Bunting had 26 career NHL games as mainly an AHL guy with little pedigree and he almost immediately grabbed a top line role in Toronto. If he's not re-signed there is going to be an opening there and it's not like the Leafs will have a ton of cap room to play with. I don't think it's unrealistic he's in the top 6 as soon as next year.

 

[WarriorofTime]

You can ride shotgun on the “first line” at even strength without being “in the top six” so to speak. Balanced line deployment is a lot more common in the NHL than loaded up first lines

 

[Namikaze Minato]

 

[Evgeny Oliker]

So when is he expected to play for Leafs?

 

[TheBeastCoast]

So when is he expected to play for Leafs?

Tomorrow night against Florida I would guess.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Making his debut tonight... I would imagine they will be giving him alot of ice time and some PP time and give him every opportunity to score.

 

[WarriorofTime]

If he plays well, can he make the Playoff Roster? Is there an open(ish) spot on the Wings?

 

[TheBeastCoast]

If he plays well, can he make the Playoff Roster? Is there an open(ish) spot on the Wings?

It is definitely possible. It isn't a murderers row on the left wing for us. Got like Bunting,Kerfoot,Lafferty, and Ashton Reese on the left side. It is possible.

 

[ponder]

If he plays well, can he make the Playoff Roster? Is there an open(ish) spot on the Wings?

I think the most likely scenario is he’s a 13th forward for the playoffs, and getting him signed was mostly a strategic move. If guys languish too long in college, you lose their rights, so important to get quality NCAA prospects signed ASAP. Don’t want an Adam Fox, Blake Wheeler, Alex Kerfoot, Kevin Hayes, etc. situation.

With that being said, I think he’ll have a chance to outcompete a number of players - ZAR probably most likely? But if I had to guess, he’ll be more of a 13th forward for the playoffs.

Has a spot locked down (8 forwards): Matthews, Marner, Nylander, JT, ROR, Bunting, Jarnkrok, Kampf

Could maybe get healthy scratched (4 forwards): Kerfoot, Lafferty, Acciari, ZAR

 

[WTFMAN99]

I think the most likely scenario is he’s a 13th forward for the playoffs, and getting him signed was mostly a strategic move. If guys languish too long in college, you lose their rights, so important to get quality NCAA prospects signed ASAP. Don’t want an Adam Fox, Blake Wheeler, Alex Kerfoot, etc. situation.

With that being said, I think he’ll have a chance to outcompete a number of players - ZAR probably most likely? But if I had to guess, he’ll be more of a 13th forward for the playoffs.

This.

If he pots 2-3 goals in the remaining games, he'll definitely force the coachs hand but for now, it's just showing him what the NHL is like and he's a black ace.

 

[Lockin17]

wow the kid looks solid, i like how he uses he's size.

If you compare to what Farrell looked like at his first couple games Knies is killing it .

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

 

[Future]

Played well today and did not look out of place in the slightest. Which is pretty good considering he hasn’t practiced with the team yet and was playing in college 48 hours prior. Had one rough shift, but other than that, I liked his game a lot.

Looking forward to seeing him attack the net more as he gets comfortable.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

Played well today and did not look out of place in the slightest. Which is pretty good considering he hasn’t practiced with the team yet and was playing in college 48 hours prior. Had one rough shift, but other than that, I liked his game a lot.

Looking forward to seeing him attack the net more as he gets comfortable.

Biggest thing for me was that he was comfortable hanging on to the puck. Most prospects playing in their first game are quick to dish it off as soon as they get it but he looked comfortable enough, even along the boards with minimal space. That one giveaway was rough but overall a fairly solid first outing.

 

[oooooooooohCanada]

He was definitely a bit lost on zone exits when he had the puck but thats more of a systems thing that he had practically no time to learn. Solid debut. Can see the tools. He's gonna be a beast in a few years with even more strength.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

He’s a tank. He’s going to be a force to knock off the puck, exactly what we need. Especially at LW.

Wish he was able to play with more games remaining so he could get used to the system for the playoffs. Let’s see what happens.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

I was only able to catch the first half of the game last night but I thought he was awesome from what I saw. Didn't look out of place at all and was very noticeable every shift.

 

[MNRube]

Biggest thing for me was that he was comfortable hanging on to the puck. Most prospects playing in their first game are quick to dish it off as soon as they get it but he looked comfortable enough, even along the boards with minimal space. That one giveaway was rough but overall a fairly solid first outing.

He’s never lacked confidence and in the last year has developed a bully mentality that will serve him well. I think he gives Leafs ability to run 3 legit scoring lines and they should consider doing so

 

[57special]

We'll see how the "bully" role suits him the first time someone has had enough and challenges him to a fight. The NCAA is a far cry from the NHL.

 

[independent observer]

Will he have a better career than Jimmy Vesey? I remember when he signed with the Rangers media coverage went nuts… similar now… but maybe just because he is with the Leafs… I am sure with another organization like the Coyotes that would be no topic…

 

[2014nyr]

Will he have a better career than Jimmy Vesey? I remember when he signed with the Rangers media coverage went nuts… similar now… but maybe just because he is with the Leafs… I am sure with another organization like the Coyotes that would be no topic…

i actually think that might be a reasonable comp - although thats speaking to vesey this season after he bounced around a lot trying to figure out what he was as an nhl player. i'm thinking this comp might not be very well received because of the shiny new toy excitement factor and because i think a lot of people don't realize vesey has become a pretty valuable roster piece - i want to be clear though while there's every chance he outplays that comp, i just think its reasonable given similar size/skillsets/backgrounds entering the league. not saying he's going to mirror his production or take years to find his nhl role.

i actually think he'll acclimate a lot quicker and i think there's a chance he could wind up being the right fit in toronto's top 6 next year that helps balance their lineup and you see pretty solid production. long term though i think he's more likely a valuable middle/bottom 6 guy who does a bit of everything and can play in the top 6 as a complimentary piece on the right lines.

 

[Three On Zero]

Was only one game, but the kid made some good plays and some bad ones, seems to have the ability to be an effective middle 6 player with some more time spent up in the big leagues.