Player Discussion Matthew Knies | Built for the Playoffs

[GoonieFace]

Games 5-7, 0 points, and -10, 100% agree, fit for the Leafs' playoffs.

I think he is overrated because of his play style, but hoping if it is a bridge, it starts with a 6 and is 5 years.

Obviously, playing with the two turds rubbed off on him

 

[notbias]

Obviously, playing with the two turds rubbed off on him

Clearly, especially since they outproduced him.

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

Clearly, especially since they outproduced him.

Well yeah, given their salaries, you'd hope so.

Marner with two more even strength points. I've seen enough. Give him 14M

 

[Menzinger]

Folks are inventing reasons to get mad around here lol

It think it'll be longer term, in the 7-8 year range for 7-8 mil. And he'll be worth it

 

[TheDoldrums]

I know most here get angry at the notion of anything but 8 years, but I think going short term is the best play here.

Our defense is so old. Matthews has three years left. We have no draft picks. Trying to maximize the chances of winning in the short term is the only thing that makes sense, saving $3M on the Knies AAV by going short is adding a solid 3rd liner for the years we can actually win.

 

[RoadWarrior]

I know most here get angry at the notion of anything but 8 years, but I think going short term is the best play here.

Our defense is so old. Matthews has three years left. We have no draft picks. Trying to maximize the chances of winning in the short term is the only thing that makes sense, saving $3M on the Knies AAV by going short is adding a solid 3rd liner for the years we can actually win.

However if Knies becomes the next Tkachuk and scores 40 goals then you wind up doling out $11M AAV to keep this guy in 3 years. I would try to sign him to the max long term deal without a no movement clause.

 

[TheDoldrums]

However if Knies becomes the next Tkachuk and scores 40 goals then you wind up doling out $11M AAV to keep this guy in 3 years. I would try to sign him to the max long term deal without a no movement clause.

After 3 more years it's very realistic that this team will be past it's contention window anyways so cap savings at that time are less impactful, I guess is my perspective.

 

[58 Years No Cup]

I know most here get angry at the notion of anything but 8 years, but I think going short term is the best play here.

Our defense is so old. Matthews has three years left. We have no draft picks. Trying to maximize the chances of winning in the short term is the only thing that makes sense, saving $3M on the Knies AAV by going short is adding a solid 3rd liner for the years we can actually win.

Agree 100%.

 

[Stephen]

I know most here get angry at the notion of anything but 8 years, but I think going short term is the best play here.

Our defense is so old. Matthews has three years left. We have no draft picks. Trying to maximize the chances of winning in the short term is the only thing that makes sense, saving $3M on the Knies AAV by going short is adding a solid 3rd liner for the years we can actually win.

You don’t want his contract expiry lining with Matthews expiry. It would just create so much chaos in one summer.

 

[Nylander88]

With his 29G, 29A, 58Pts, & 182 Hits in only his sophomore season as a 22yr old.....I don't think you do anything other than push for term unless it's completely unreasonable of an ask from Knies' camp.
One of our few players that doesn't disappear when the temperature goes up in the playoffs, but actually grabs another gear.
Knies has never tasted a big payday yet, so hopefully the greed isn't there. You try for 8yrs @ 7 million per and hope he is over the moon with that. A fair deal from both sides in my opinion. 56 million dollars in his account sets him up fantastically while not twisting the organization for every last cent he thinks he can get...and its a gamble/show of faith from the Leafs end saying "we believe in your potential and we want you to be a Leaf for a very long time".

He's the type of identity we need to build around. Get some guys in here like Bennett, Marchand, Benn (likely wont be available) and surround this team with some serviceable snarl.

I'd rather finish 7th in the conference and have a "playoff team" than finish up top and not have the jam it takes when it matters most. Knies is the type of player you build around.

 

[Stephen]

Well yeah, given their salaries, you'd hope so.

Marner with two more even strength points. I've seen enough. Give him 14M

Knies trails Mitch Marner's career playoff goals totals 13 to 8 at the moment despite playing in 43 fewer games.

 

[keonsbitterness]

You don’t want his contract expiry lining with Matthews expiry. It would just create so much chaos in one summer.

Might be better to have the flexibility of both their contracts expiring in 27-28. We should know by then if the Leafs are primed for a rebuild, if Knies is a true star, and if Matthews is a declining asset. Or they could be stupid and trade more 1st round picks.

 

[Menzinger]

There's definitely a fair argument to be made for bridging him on like 3-4 years.

BUT if he is the real deal - a star power forward - the team will lose.the ability to get him under contract for well below market value for the max term.

 

[Stephen]

Might be better to have the flexibility of both their contracts expiring in 27-28. We should know by then if the Leafs are primed for a rebuild, if Knies is a true star, and if Matthews is a declining asset. Or they could be stupid and trade more 1st round picks.

There’s literally no upside to having to deal with both contracts at the same time.

 

[nuck]

Folks are inventing reasons to get mad around here lol

It think it'll be longer term, in the 7-8 year range for 7-8 mil. And he'll be worth it

I hope nowhere near $8. If that's his number set him free. Byfield is $6.25M and he is a center. Anything more than $7M for Knies is more Leaf disease. Love the player but they have to quit setting the market on every deal.

 

[Stephen]

I hope nowhere near $8. If that's his number set him free. Byfield is $6.25M and he is a center. Anything more than $7M for Knies is more Leaf disease. Love the player but they have to quit setting the market on every deal.

I think the market comparables are Dylan Guenther and Juraj Slafkovsky who live in the mid $7 million range.

 

[al secord]

Folks are inventing reasons to get mad around here lol

It think it'll be longer term, in the 7-8 year range for 7-8 mil. And he'll be worth it

I blame podcasts.

 

[Cap'n Flavour]

I think the market comparables are Dylan Guenther and Juraj Slafkovsky who live in the mid $7 million range.

Boldy got 7x7 two years ago when the cap wasn't certain to go up as much as it has. It's hard to imagine Knies getting less than 8.

 

[Aashir]

Boldy got 7x7 two years ago when the cap wasn't certain to go up as much as it has. It's hard to imagine Knies getting less than 8.

tbf boldy is a far superior player too

he had 39 in 47 in his rookie year playing under 16 minutes a game, which itself is a higher pace than knies has ever achieved
he signed having 29 in 42, a 33G and 57 point pace, very similar to knies and he finished that season with 63 points

Boldy got 8.38%
Slaf got 7.96% --> had a 50 point season under his belt too
Guenther got 7.48% -->signed after having a 64 point pace

at close to 8 we start seeing overpayments that he might be able to make worth it, think the nylander RFA contract. I'm not willing to lose him if he wants low 8s, but it will suck having to overpay yet another RFA compared to other teams

at above 9 we are getting into holy moly overpayment territory ala matthews and marner

a fair deal would be 7 years at 7.5M. that gets him more than all of those guys but Slaf, but he has the third highest cap percentage.

 

[nuck]

tbf boldy is a far superior player too

he had 39 in 47 in his rookie year playing under 16 minutes a game, which itself is a higher pace than knies has ever achieved
he signed having 29 in 42, a 33G and 57 point pace, very similar to knies and he finished that season with 63 points

Boldy got 8.38%
Slaf got 7.96% --> had a 50 point season under his belt too
Guenther got 7.48% -->signed after having a 64 point pace

at close to 8 we start seeing overpayments that he might be able to make worth it, think the nylander RFA contract. I'm not willing to lose him if he wants low 8s, but it will suck having to overpay yet another RFA compared to other teams

at above 9 we are getting into holy moly overpayment territory ala matthews and marner

a fair deal would be 7 years at 7.5M. that gets him more than all of those guys but Slaf, but he has the third highest cap percentage.

If he wants close to $8M there will still be a lineup of clubs that will take him. Slaf got a #1 draft spot plus lots of cap room overpay. Boldy and Guenther were as good/better at age 20 as Knies at 22 so not true comps And none of these other guys play with line mates who scored 180 points.

I want him back but there is a much better argument for $7M than higher. And like a Matthews trade, Knies could get the type of young player back that teams don't normally ever part with. He has no trade protection and no leverage so he may have to suffer through getting paid at a non-Toronto rate

 

[Aashir]

If he wants close to $8M there will still be a lineup of clubs that will take him. Slaf got a #1 draft spot plus lots of cap room overpay. Boldy and Guenther were as good/better at age 20 as Knies at 22 so not true comps And none of these other guys play with line mates who scored 180 points.

I want him back but there is a much better argument for $7M than higher. And like a Matthews trade, Knies could get the type of young player back that teams don't normally ever part with. He has no trade protection and no leverage so he may have to suffer through getting paid at a non-Toronto rate

completely agree on everything, great points

I'd rather not trade him, but yea if he asks for too much then there is no choice. We CANNOT start another round of overpaying RFAs, been there done that....ask Dubas and Shanahan how that went lol