Leafs prospect ranks the third most-likely top prospect to be moved at the deadline
Drafted 57th overall by the Leafs in the 2021 draft, Matthews Knies put up 33 points in 33 games last year for the Gophers and is about to best that mark this season. He has 30 points in just 28 games so far. The Leafs are hoping to have Knies join them when his season ends, but if Minnesota makes it to the finals of the Frozen Four, that may not be until April 7th or 8th as the tournament runs from the 3rd to 6th.
The media first listed him as "untouchable", then "movable if the right deal comes along" and now "likely to be traded" so far this season while others have said the Leafs will not move Knies as they believe he will help them immediately once his season ends at the University of Minnesota. After electing to return to the Gophers for his sophmore season, Knies has continued to dominate the NCAA with his unique combination of size and skill.
Corey Pronman of The Athletic released an article identifying the top prospects that will likely be moved come the March third deadline and Knies not only made the top-5, he was listed at number 3. However, Pronman said that he could see Knies helping the Leafs in the playoffs as a top-9 winger and that he is listed as high as he is because every team wants a power-forward like Knies - and if the demand for the player is high, the return would likely be excellent.
As much as many want the Leafs and Kyle Dubas to make a big splash, the Leafs don't have anything in the cupboards when it comes to prospects whose ceiling is higher than Knies and with extensions for Auston Matthews and William Nylander around the corner, they are going to need all the entry-level contracts they can fit onto the roster in the coming seasons. Not only that, but Knies is a very unique type of power-forward given his hockey IQ and puck skills. I'd be surprised if they moved him, personally.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 7 | 307 ANSWERS Leafs prospect ranks the third most-likely top prospect to be moved at the deadline Will Knies be moved at the deadline? | ||
| Yes | 74 | 24.1 % |
| No | 233 | 75.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
