Insider reveals one potential hurdle in a deal between Leafs and top prospect Matthew Knies

With Knies and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers currently competing in the Frozen Four tournament, Elliotte Friedman joined Jeff Marek on The Jeff Marek Show this afternoon to discuss Knies' immediate future. Friedman did not confirm that Knies will 100 percent sign with the Leafs at the end of this weekend, but like many, he expects it to happen. However, he did make note that there could be a sticking point in contract negotiations that may take a little more time to work out.

"If there's one concern here, it's going to be a negotiation over bonuses," said Friedman. With the Leafs so close to the cap and in a cap crunch next season, they would prefer if Knies was willing to not take the maximum number of Schedule "A" and "B" bonuses the way Nick Robertson and Rasmus Sandin did. From what Friedman said though, it sounds like Knies would prefer some type of bonus or bonuses. What the bonuses would mean for the Leafs is that they would have a cap overage either next season or the season after depending how the contract is structured and how close they are to the cap. The less bonuses, the more cap space the Leafs have.

Given the fact that the Leafs have a handful of games left and Knies will be able to join the Leafs for their final 3 games, should he want to turn pro, it could mean a bit of a grind at the negotiating table to satiate both sides.