Broadcast team calls Leafs prospect the most NHL-ready player in his entire league
Matthew Knies recorded an assist in last night's 5-1 Minnesota Gopher victory over Michigan State, but that brought his point total up to 40 on the season in just 35 games. Selected in the second round of the 2021 draft by the Leafs, Knies has quickly become one of the most discussed and hyped prospects in years.
During the broadcast last night, the NCAA broadcast team echoed that sentiment when they called him the "most NHL ready player in college hockey". Many, particularly Leaf fans are hoping to see if the hype is real around Knies as he will be able to join the Leafs following the conclusion of the Frozen Four tournament in April.
Knies has been called a "unicorn" due to his unique blend of size, physicality, defensive play and offensive skillset and the Leafs are hoping that adding him to the club for the playoffs will provide some secondary scoring in their bottom six. I say bottom six because it wouldn't be wise to put him up against the likes of Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, or Anthony Cirelli right out of the gate. Should Knies join the Leafs in April, he will have 3-4 games at maximu to get up to speed and learn the Leaf systems. Tall task, to be sure.
