Matthew Knies nominated for the Hobey Baker Award

[Clyde Brewer]

We've been warned to not expect too much from Knies right away after turning pro. It's a big jump from the NCAA to the NHL especially for the power forward type. I really like his body positioning instincts above everything else for making him a potential exception to the rule. I wouldn't count on him contributing but I wouldn't count him out either. I'm reminded that historically that it took players like Erik Cole, John Le Clair, Alex Tuch some time before making a big impact at the NHL level.

There are quite a few people here who are already penciling Knies into the top 6 for this year's playoffs- I think that is being very optimistic. Do most people think this is a likelihood?

I'd be satisfied with him being effective and adding physicality to the 4th line, perhaps showing glimpses of offense to earn a shot at third line minutes.

 

[ULF_55]

There are quite a few people here who are already penciling Knies into the top 6 for this year's playoffs- I think that is being very optimistic. Do most people think this is a likelihood?

I'd be satisfied with him being effective and adding physicality to the 4th line, perhaps showing glimpses of offense to earn a shot at third line minutes.

No one knows what he'll be able to do, or how they'd try and deploy him.

It's like Niemela, and Hirvonen no one knows what they're going to do or not do.

It's always about whether you're a negative person or a positive person when it comes to hope.

Some have already failed in their own minds before the calendar turns over.

 

[Jojalu]

Good interview with Knies explaining how close the Leafs are working with him on diet, drills etc.

Sounds like he is ready to be a Leaf.

Hopefully he can come out like Boeser and make an impact right away, but I would be happy if he can change the makeup of the 3rd line, bring some physicality and chip in with a goal a series

 

[Judas Tavares]

There are quite a few people here who are already penciling Knies into the top 6 for this year's playoffs- I think that is being very optimistic. Do most people think this is a likelihood?

I'd be satisfied with him being effective and adding physicality to the 4th line, perhaps showing glimpses of offense to earn a shot at third line minutes.

I'm expecting him to be a better version of what we saw from McMann in terms of forecheck and energy with a better ability to use the body to win battles. Any offence would be a bonus.

 

[Fogelhund]

There was a graphic within the past couple of weeks showing Knies was having the second best season of all NCAA players. Can anyone direct me to that again? Thx.

 

[authentic]

There are quite a few people here who are already penciling Knies into the top 6 for this year's playoffs- I think that is being very optimistic. Do most people think this is a likelihood?

I'd be satisfied with him being effective and adding physicality to the 4th line, perhaps showing glimpses of offense to earn a shot at third line minutes.

Are we supposed to be bringing him up soon? I hate that it's taken this long already for him to see NHL action.

 

[Menzinger]

Are we supposed to be bringing him up soon? I hate that it's taken this long already for him to see NHL action.

He won't be up until end of March/early April. Basically it'll be sometime between March 25 and April 9th.

 

[Fogelhund]

There was a graphic within the past couple of weeks showing Knies was having the second best season of all NCAA players. Can anyone direct me to that again? Thx.

Matthew Knies (TOR) has remained a top NCAA player by every metric. His overall grade is the fourth-best among all forwards in the NCAA. He's also the second-best forward in transitions.
A bit old. Love to see this updated.

 

[Puckstuff]

There’s really no way to know how a player will transition as everyone’s development journey is different and PPG is no way to know how he will perform in the NHL, but…

Beniers 2021-22 Big 10: 1.16 PPG
Beniers NHL PPG first 64 games: 0.77 PPG

Knies 2022-23 Big 10 - PPG 1.13
Knies NHL PPG - TBD

If knies is even 80 % production of Beniers then that’s a 0.616 PPG or a 50 point pace which I would be ecstatic with. That’s another 20 goal, 50 point power forward with size and considering we have the all star talent already this would be a dream addition. Ofc he could bust as well but I have a good feeling about this one.

 

[Puckstuff]

He won't be up until end of March/early April. Basically it'll be sometime between March 25 and April 9th.

I believe the championship game is on March 18th. If he were to join say by say March 27th vs Nashville he would be with us for 10 full games before the playoffs.

 

[Dekes For Days]

I believe the championship game is on March 18th. If he were to join say by say March 27th vs Nashville he would be with us for 10 full games before the playoffs.

I believe if he makes the Frozen Four, which is expected, then he wouldn't be with us until at least after April 8th.

2024 Men's Frozen Four: Bracket, scores, schedule for the college hockey championship

Follow the 2024 DI men's ice hockey tournament all the way to the 2024 Frozen Four at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

www.ncaa.com

The 2023 men's Frozen Four begins Thursday, April 6, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. The national championship will be held Saturday, April 8.

 

[DarkKnight]

So if his team goes all the way, he plays the last two regular season games, then into the playoff fire? It’s still a big ask, I hope we are reasonable with our expectations here. I see him as an intriguing bonus, rather than pencilling him in immediately as a factor. The NCAA bears no resemblance to the NHL.

 

[horner]

So if his team goes all the way, he plays the last two regular season games, then into the playoff fire? It’s still a big ask, I hope we are reasonable with our expectations here. I see him as an intriguing bonus, rather than pencilling him in immediately as a factor. The NCAA bears no resemblance to the NHL.

4 th line to begin with

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

Yeah he’s untouchable, I don’t care.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Having Kines, Minten, Hirvonen and Tverberg on the Leafs roster in a few years will be a pain to play against. We could use a few D men in the pool with some physicality though. Sandin and Niemela play with a little bite. Hoping Kral and Villeneuve can develop a more physical game as well.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

There are quite a few people here who are already penciling Knies into the top 6 for this year's playoffs- I think that is being very optimistic. Do most people think this is a likelihood?

I'd be satisfied with him being effective and adding physicality to the 4th line, perhaps showing glimpses of offense to earn a shot at third line minutes.

Right now I have him penciled on the 3rd to add size, physicality and hopefully a scoring touch. If he only plays on the 4th or as a 13th forward I still think it bodes well for our depth in the playoffs and consider that a win.

This is what I would like to see and think it would be very hard to match up against.

Bunting Matthews Nylander
Jarnkrok Tavares Marner
Knies O'Rielly Holmberg
ZAR Kampf Acciari

I think that's a pretty balanced top 9 that gives you a 1-2-3 punch with offense and 2 way play and a 4th line that will wear teams down in the playoffs as well as serve as a match up line.

 

[keonsbitterness]

I see three options: 1) he signs in April and makes an impact 2) he signs and makes no impact 3) he goes back to school

No idea what's most likely, but the Leafs should plan on no 22-23 contribution from Knies, even if they already know he's leaving school.

 

[jiggy35]

When does Knies become available to be signed?

 

[keonsbitterness]

When does Knies become available to be signed?

March or April, depending on how far his team goes.

 

[Menzinger]

Based on how they threw Sandin and Robertson in right away don't be surprised if they intend on doing the same. Now how Knies responds to that challenge will remain up in the air. Hopefully he's coming in fresh from winning a championship, full of confidence ready for the next challenge

I believe the championship game is on March 18th. If he were to join say by say March 27th vs Nashville he would be with us for 10 full games before the playoffs.

When does Knies become available to be signed?

As Dekes mentioned it comes down to how well his team, the Gophers does during the Frozen Four/NCAA championship. The Gophers are expected to make the finals (though obviously not a lock).

Which means that the latest he could sign and be on a plane to Toronto would be April 9th, the day after it's all over. It could be earlier if they lose an earlier game and are eliminated

 

[Burnie97]

There’s really no way to know how a player will transition as everyone’s development journey is different and PPG is no way to know how he will perform in the NHL, but…

Beniers 2021-22 Big 10: 1.16 PPG
Beniers NHL PPG first 64 games: 0.77 PPG

Knies 2022-23 Big 10 - PPG 1.13
Knies NHL PPG - TBD

If knies is even 80 % production of Beniers then that’s a 0.616 PPG or a 50 point pace which I would be ecstatic with. That’s another 20 goal, 50 point power forward with size and considering we have the all star talent already this would be a dream addition. Ofc he could bust as well but I have a good feeling about this one.

Thanks for the breakdown and yes that would be an unreal add around then. Just having him as an option and giving him some games will be good to see where he's at.

I could see it taking him a bit to adjust but he has the size to play no problem in that regard right away and a great shot. Hopefully his skating can keep up pretty well.

 

[crump]

Knies is on a great trajectory. Playing well with one of the best lines in the NCAA.

I’m hopeful as the next guy, but to ask a college player to jump into an NHL playoff lineup with a few games experience at the end of a season, it’s a lot. It might be different if he played and dominated the prospect tournament and played in the Marlies half the season.

He’s an exciting prospect, maybe he jumps right in.

 

[kk87]

I've seen some people arguing that since we're in win-now mode we shouldn't be afraid to move prospects, even Knies, given that we don't know what he'll be at the NHL level. That ship's probably sailed now with the O'Reilly deal, but there are a couple reasons I think we should hang onto Knies at all costs.
1. Cost control - since Auston/Mitch/Willy signed their second contracts, we've never really had a true impact player on their ELC. Especially in 2 years time, with 34 and 88 both due for raises, having him locked in at $950k would be incredible.
2. Unique skillset - Knies' mix of size and skill is quite distinct from any other prospect/player in our system (or most around the league); not only does this mean he'd be a great complimentary piece as soon as he joins the lineup, but it also means he's got a lower bar to hit to be an impact player than most other prospects. For instance, if Robertson tops out as a 30-40 point winger that would be fairly underwhelming, but a 40 point winger in Knies stature would be incredibly valuable.

 

[WillyC]

I would love to see Knies catch lightning in a bottle playing on ROR’s wing during the playoffs… wins the NCAA title then rolls along with ROR in the playoffs.

 

[seanlinden]

Call me crazy, but I'd throw him right into the top 6. Assuming he makes the National Championship (April 8th), he could still theoretically have 3 regular season games with the Leafs on April 10th, 11th, and 13th.

Come playoff time and Tampa being the likely 1st round opponent, I think you have to try and distribute the wealth from a scoring perspective. Put him with Tavares & Marner. Get ROR on a 3rd line with Jarnkrok, and hopefully another deadline addition.

Let the 4th line be some combination of Kampf, Engvall, Kerfoot, Acciari and/or Aston Reese. Knies shouldn't be out there solely to hit, and create some energy. He should be out there helping control the puck.

 

[Fogelhund]

2023 Frozen Four takes place April 6-8 in Tampa (ironically enough). Toronto's schedule after this point is:

• Apr. 10 @ Florida
• Apr. 11 @ Tampa Bay
• Apr. 13 vs. NY Rangers