Analysts not impressed with Leafs rookie Matthew Knies through 18 games
When Matthew Knies made his debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs at the end of last season, there was an abundance of hype to the point where he was almost deemed a "saviour" of sorts. Many expected him to jump right into the Leafs' top-six, and while he had his opportunities there he spent most of his time last season on the third line in sheltered minutes.
Coming into this season, analysts had him penciled in for a top-six role, which he eventually got. Things started off well for Knies when he first started playing alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, but recently he has started to struggle. It's concerning to some, including Sportsnet's Justin Bourne and Nick Kypreos.
Following the Leafs' overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks yesterday afternoon, the two discussed the troubles Knies is currently battling through and if it could be a result of feeling overwhelmed with where he is in the lineup.
"You just have to do something to alleviate the pressure. He only played 14 and a half minutes for a guy who's playing on the top line. You can tell the coach doesn't like putting him out there all that much. There's a lot of hope plays and turnovers. He doesn't have the puck for an extended period of time. I think it's affecting that line's ability to have the puck a lot in the offensive zone. I don't know who it is, but that line is not working for me." - Bourne on Knies' recent struggles.
Kypreos echoed Bourne's comments and believes that Knies needs some sort of reset.
"You guys know where I have stood with Matthew Knies. I love the player, but too much, too soon. I often see Matthews and Marner change, he's still out there and I think at times putting a guy that fresh out of college with the responsibility to run shotgun with $10M+ players on the number one line on a team that's supposed to contend for a Stanley Cup might be too much to bite off."
Knies has 5 goals and 9 points through the Leafs first 18 games. However, six of those points came in the Leafs' two games against the Tampa Bay Lightning, meaning he has just 3 points in the Leafs' 16 other games this season. Knies' skillset and size may fit well with Matthews and Marner, but as Bourne and Kypreos said, he is likely very overwhelmed right now and could use a break to reset himself.
None of this is to say he should be scratched, but Keefe should certainly consider moving him down the lineup for a game or two to alleviate some of the pressure he is or might be feeling. With the Leafs' four game winning streak coming to an end yesterday, along with William Nylander's 17-game point streak, now might be the perfect time to swap Knies and Tyler Bertuzzi for a couple of games. Fans should not be frustrated with Knies, but rather understand that there will be growing pains for the former second-round pick. He is still adjusting to an 82-game schedule and to the grind a full season has on the body. At just 21-years-old, he still has lots to learn and patience is needed to let him figure things out.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 25 | 316 ANSWERS Analysts not impressed with Leafs rookie Matthew Knies through 18 games Should the Leafs move Knies down the lineup to let him reset himself? | ||
| No, he's fine. He just needs to simplify his game | 140 | 44.3 % |
| Yes, that line is struggling right now | 128 | 40.5 % |
| They're managing his minutes, so that's enough | 48 | 15.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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