Pending RFA Matthew Knies Reveals Where Where Extension Talks Are At With Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-Imagn Images
A budding star for the Maple Leafs, sophomore Matthew Knies is a pending restricted free agent and had revealed where things are at with his negotiations.
The former second-round pick was considered by many to be the Leafs' best player in their first-round loss to the Boston Bruins last post-season and he has continued that play into his second full NHL season.
Though he has missed a handful of games due to injury, Knies has carried over his strong play from the post-season through the first three quarters of this season. In 54 games, the 22-year-old has tallied 21 goals and 37 points while skating primarily with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
In the final year of his entry-level deal, Knies was almost immediately asked about a potential new contract upon his arrival for the start of the season. He addressed his future with the Leafs during training camp stating that he wanted to remain in Toronto, but was leaving negotiations to his agent and focusing on hockey.
In a recent interview with Jonny Lazarus of Daily Faceoff, the Arizona native was asked if there were any updates on a new deal, revealing that fans shouldn't expect a deal before the off-season.
"I can't say I've thought about it too much," Knies said. "There's not many games left until the playoffs. I think that's something that's going to get figured out in the summer, and that's when I can put more thought into it."
Despite not putting much thought into a new deal currently, Knies re-iterated that he doesn't plan on leaving the blue and white for another team via an offer sheet if he reaches July 1st.
"I'm sure [Marner and Tavares are] getting a lot more attention for it, but I think they're on the same page as me. I don't think we're worried about it; we all want to stay, and we're all going to try to figure out how we can manage to all stay here."
Should Knies reach July 1st, he will certainly have a number of suitors attempt to poach him from the Leafs, but being a restricted free agent, the offer sheet would have to be a very hefty overpayment for the power forward to sign it and the Leafs to not immediately match it.
For now, Knies and the Leafs are focused on securing home-ice advantage for the playoffs, while GM Brad Treliving is focused on adding the final pieces to the roster in the hopes of sending the Leafs on a lengthy playoff run.
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