The Toronto Maple Leafs are confident they’ve found a rising star in Matthew Knies, and the 23-year-old has recently spoken about his ongoing contract talks with the team.
A year ago, the Leafs secured major agreements with Auston Matthews and William Nylander, but now they face even more critical decisions.
With Mitch Marner and John Tavares set to enter free agency in the summer of 2025, standout forward Matthew Knies will also become a restricted free agent, putting the team in a position to offer him a substantial extension.
Things had been quiet on the contract front for some time, but the 23-year-old has now addressed the topic. When asked about a potential new deal, he showed little interest in discussing it, instead emphasizing his focus on the current season and his contributions to the team.
“I don’t focus on that at all. It didn’t affect me when I was in college making decisions, and it doesn’t now. My focus is on becoming a better player,” Knies said. “I’m not worried about points or flashy plays. I just want to do whatever it takes to help this team win. That’s the value I bring. There’s always room for improvement, but I have a lot of hockey ahead of me.”
The former second-round pick tallied 35 points in 80 games last season and has shown noticeable progress this year with 11 goals and 19 points in 35 games, demonstrating his growth at the NHL level.
With several significant contracts looming for Toronto, securing Knies on a long-term deal would be a smart move. It wouldn’t be surprising to see an agreement finalized during the 2024/25 season.
