Matthew Knies

[Cams]

I love Knies but he can really help out that 3rd line and he balances out the top 9, while keeping Knies from padding his stats on the first line prior to signing him. Having 2 power forwards on the 3rd in McMann and Knies would be epic, and then reunite Domi-Matthews on line 1. Problem is we don't have a good enough 3 c if we put Domi back at wing, but Kampf or Lorentz can fill that role until we trade for a better 3 c.

Domi-Matthews-Nylander - skill line
Patches-Tavares-Marner - skill/cycle
Knies--Lorentz--McMann - power line
Robertson-Kampf-Dewar - 4th line

There is now way any teams think like this. Hold a guy back just for the sake of a lower contract value?

 

[ACC1224]

There is now way any teams think like this. Hold a guy back just for the sake of a lower contract value?

Depends on the team and where they are at.

 

[Roo]

Signing at the end of the season is fine, IMO. He’s done well but also benefitting from being on that top line. Don’t want to take anything away from what he has done but that is a big factor.

And no, he hasn’t been the best player on that line like some have suggested.

 

[Knies iT]

I love Knies but he can really help out that 3rd line and he balances out the top 9, while keeping Knies from padding his stats on the first line prior to signing him. Having 2 power forwards on the 3rd in McMann and Knies would be epic, and then reunite Domi-Matthews on line 1. Problem is we don't have a good enough 3 c if we put Domi back at wing, but Kampf or Lorentz can fill that role until we trade for a better 3 c.

Domi-Matthews-Nylander - skill line
Patches-Tavares-Marner - skill/cycle
Knies--Lorentz--McMann - power line
Robertson-Kampf-Dewar - 4th line

If you intentionally nerf his point production by playing him with black holes he’s simply going to opt for a short bridge. His camp isn’t stupid.

Not to mention we’re a contender trying to ice the best possible lineup and he’s easily the best fit beside the core guys.

Push for max term or close to it. Thats how you approach getting the most value out of young PWFs.

 

[Menzinger]

The goals are there, the assists aren't because once again the PP sucks and Marner and Matthews can't score worth a damn right now.

People need to watch the games instead of looking at box score. He's easily playing like a 30 goal, PPG player.

I think the biggest issue is a lot of fans think of Knies first as this sort of energy player, when in fact he's always been very skilled/high hockey IQ going back to when he was drafted and his days in college with the Gophers. He just happens to have a power forward's body and isn't afraid to use it.

One of the most exciting young players we've seen in a Leafs jersey since the the day Matthews was drafted

 

[ULF_55]

I think the biggest issue is a lot of fans think of Knies first as this sort of energy player, when in fact he's always been very skilled/high hockey IQ going back to when he was drafted and his days in college with the Gophers. He just happens to have a power forward's body and isn't afraid to use it.

One of the most exciting young players we've seen in a Leafs jersey since the the day Matthews was drafted

He very well may be "the" reason the first line makes a statement in the playoffs.

He's not a rookie this year, he'll know what he has to do in the playoffs.

 

[Puckstuff]

If you intentionally nerf his point production by playing him with black holes he’s simply going to opt for a short bridge. His camp isn’t stupid.

Not to mention we’re a contender trying to ice the best possible lineup and he’s easily the best fit beside the core guys.

Push for max term or close to it. Thats how you approach getting the most value out of young PWFs.

Domi is just as good of a LW option as Knies is, possibly even better tbf. Knies is good but the case to play him on the 3rd line is legitmate if you believe in the Domi-Matthews chemistry from last year and you want more size on the 3rd line. No matter what, a good player is going to be playing on the 3rd line.

Also McMann is not a black hole.

Domi-Matthews-Nylander
Patches-Tavares-Marner
Knies-______-McMann

Having Knies (6'3", 227) and McMann (6'2", 215) as a winger combo on the third line has the potential to be a ruthless combination of size, speed, strength, and shooting. That third line will bulldoze teams, but then you have that elite skill up top in Nylander, Matthews, Domi on line 1 and Tavares, Marner, and Pacioretty on line 2.

 

[TopCheeseShotta]

They are in zero rush to get an extension for very obvious reasons.

At your own peril. Dude looks like a monster this year.

 

[Maplebeasts]

He’s quickly turning into one of my favourite players on the team. He’s a rare blend of physicality, size and filthy hands. He’ll be even better when he starts to trust his shot a bit more from distance like he did in college hockey.

 

[TMLAM34]

Said it before, would love to see a line of Knies, Matthews and Domi. Eventually teams will take note of Knies’ physicality and push back knowing Matthews and Marner won’t engage in anything. Having Domi on that line would provide some backup and also bring more of an edge out of Matthews knowing Knies and Domi are there as well.

I think it makes sense but I’m also very biased and hate Matthews and Marner together.

 

[ULF_55]

Said it before, would love to see a line of Knies, Matthews and Domi. Eventually teams will take note of Knies’ physicality and push back knowing Matthews and Marner won’t engage in anything. Having Domi on that line would provide some backup and also bring more of an edge out of Matthews knowing Knies and Domi are there as well.

I think it makes sense but I’m also very biased and hate Matthews and Marner together.

Perhaps that is an adjustment to be made in the post season when things get really tight.

 

[Maple Leaf]

Sign players based on playoff performance

 

[Roo]

Domi is just as good of a LW option as Knies is, possibly even better tbf. Knies is good but the case to play him on the 3rd line is legitmate if you believe in the Domi-Matthews chemistry from last year and you want more size on the 3rd line. No matter what, a good player is going to be playing on the 3rd line.

Also McMann is not a black hole.

Domi-Matthews-Nylander
Patches-Tavares-Marner
Knies-______-McMann

Having Knies (6'3", 227) and McMann (6'2", 215) as a winger combo on the third line has the potential to be a ruthless combination of size, speed, strength, and shooting. That third line will bulldoze teams, but then you have that elite skill up top in Nylander, Matthews, Domi on line 1 and Tavares, Marner, and Pacioretty on line 2.

I think Berube is trying to spread the power winger so there is a big-body puck retriever on the forecheck of each line. Different style game this year, and you have the top two lines clicking right now. Not sure why we would change that. I'll take Knies over Domi any day of the week on a top line, but they are completely different types of players.