Mitch Marner Shares Opinion on How Matthew Knies Has Handled Top Line Assignment
Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner addresses the performance of sophomore winger Matthew Knies on the top line to begin the 2024-25 season.
Brad Treliving and company were far more concerned with their back-end and goaltending this summer as evidenced by the myriad of signings, and the lack thereof up front, leaving the forward corps very similar, minus PTO additions Steven Lorentz and Max Pacioretty.
The Toronto Maple Leafs didn't replace Tyler Bertuzzi with a new face, but instead opted to give Matthew Knies the opportunity of a life-time, riding shotgun on the top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
The sophomore has 6 goals and 7 points in 12 games to begin the 2024-25 season but has shown great chemistry with the top guns and they've been equally complimentary about his addition to their line, including the captain:
Marner felt the same exact way, believing that Knies' unique combination of size and speed is a huge boon for the two superstars, especially because, at times, it's not always easy playing with them:
The architect of the Maple Leafs' lines, Craig Berube, essentially reverberated the words of his two superstars. Knies' power forward build gives the top line a new element they've been lacking for a few years.
Look for Knies to improve upon his 15 goals and 35 points from his rookie year and bring about the same level of success that Michael Bunting had the first time he played with Matthews and Marner. Knies certainly has more skill than Bunting and the 22-year-old has been everything as advertised to begin the season - and his career.
