According to insider Elliotte Friedman, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Matthew Knies has been extended to a 6 year $7.75 million contract.
There had been rumors and speculation aplenty over Matthew Knies future with Toronto all season. This is big news for the Leafs to lock up this huge core piece for the long term at a fair price. Matthew Knies has established himself as the star power forward they have been missing in the Auston Matthews era.
The 22 year old forward recorded 29 goals and 29 assists for 58 points in 78 games last season, including 5 goals and 2 assists in their 13 game playoff run. Over the course of his 3 year career with the Leafs, he has touted 44 goals and 50 assists for 94 points in 161 games.
Knies will be expected to continue to play an integral role on this Leafs team that is still looking to break through come playoff time. They have seen just 2 playoff series wins in the past 9 years, notably both have come during Knies tenure with the club. Knies has shown himself to be one of the few Leafs core players who consistently shows up in the playoffs.
Toronto is expected to be a new look team next season as Mitch Marner’s inevitable demise approaches. It will be curious to see what further moves this Leafs squad makes to bolster this teams playoff aspirations this offseason. The Original 6 franchise has not won the Stanley Cup since 1967.
