Some concern over whether Knies wants to play out his NCAA career and go to free agency
There has been a lot of speculation this week about Leafs prospect Matthew Knies leaning towards heading back to the NCAA next season instead of signing his entry-level deal with the Leafs in the coming days. Some of the speculation involves the possibility that Knies could elect to play out his entire NCAA career and then sign with a team of his choosing as a UFA a few years down the line.
Well, given his comments after being drafted by the Buds with the 57th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, a departure as a college free agent seems unlikely for Knies, who has a strong appreciation for Leafs superstar Auston Matthews. In fact, the two Arizona boys have had the same skating coach since they were 6 and 11 years old, respectively.
When the Leafs drafted Knies, he received a text message from Matthews, which made draft day all the more special for the now 19-year-old winger.
"He's the kind of guy I looked up to and wanted to play like."
-Matthew Knies on the chance to play on the same team as Auston Matthews
-Matthew Knies on the chance to play on the same team as Auston Matthews
"Being an Original Six team, having a player like Auston Matthews on the team - that's the one team you dream of to go to when you want to be drafted."
-Knies on being drafted by the Leafs
-Knies on being drafted by the Leafs
To me, that doesn't sound like a kid who wants to go the route of free agency. It sounds like, if he does go back to the NCAA, it will be with the goal of competing for a championship and rounding out his game before making the jump, perhaps as soon as next season. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman suspected as much during Saturday evening's edition of 32 Thoughts on the HNIC broadcast.
Of course, Matthews, Tavares, Dubas and Shanahan are all scheduled to meet with Knies today or tomorrow, so we could yet see the University of Minnesota standout pivot on his stance and turn pro in the coming days.
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