Matthew Knies

[TMLAM34]

This kid is a beauty.

 

[Kelly]

Remember when posters on here wanted to trade Knies to Chicago for a rental in Fleury? Yikes.

No. I remember it being leaked and majority of leaf fans being pissed that Dubas even entertained that.

 

[fancy lad]

A Gordie Howe hattrick not something you see on the Leafs team in recent memory.

Especially coming from a “rookie”.

His play was siiiiick in All facets yesterday, but goddam that fight was the highlight for me. you love to see that kind of character and you gotta wonder what was going through the minds of Tavares, matthews, nylander, marner when they see that kind of *cough* leaership and response from a young player.

what a gem knies is turning out to be.

 

[shaner8989]

I remember making this thread. I knew he was going to be a monster. Just wait another 2-3 years. He just turned 21. He should have went top 10 in the 21 draft.

 

[TheShape]

No. I remember it being leaked and majority of leaf fans being pissed that Dubas even entertained that.

I highly doubt Dubas seriously ever entertained that proposal. People have proposed Knies in various trades here for rentals ever since we drafted him, it's crazy. Only now some fans are seeing how good he is. He was always considered untouchable by management.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I highly doubt Dubas seriously ever entertained that proposal. People have proposed Knies in various trades here for rentals ever since we drafted him, it's crazy. Only now some fans are seeing how good he is. He was always considered untouchable by management.

I think anyone who saw him play in the playoffs had a pretty good idea of how good he could be. What I was thinking last night was that watching how important him and Liljegren are to this team, how sweet would it be to have had another crack at drafting a major asset with the pick we traded for Foligno. Or what if traded JVR for a 1st back in the day, not to mention all the other picks we've traded away over the years.

 

[Cecithepylon]

At absolute worst this guy is Josh Anderson. He really seems like he’s going to become a bigger hyman with an elite shot. Never trade this guy ever

 

[leafsfan5]

You often hear how it takes bigger players some time to figure out their size and how to use it, Knies is already using his size extremely effectively. He knows he can destroy people and has been doing it throughout this season

What a draft pick, he's exactly what Toronto needs on the left side as a support player

 

[TheDoldrums]

First Gordie Howe hat trick by any Leaf in the Matthews era I think?

 

[Green Snow Storm]

This kid is so impressive. He's been running over people as of late, and the skill is definitely there.

 

[TheShape]

I think anyone who saw him play in the playoffs had a pretty good idea of how good he could be. What I was thinking last night was that watching how important him and Liljegren are to this team, how sweet would it be to have had another crack at drafting a major asset with the pick we traded for Foligno. Or what if traded JVR for a 1st back in the day, not to mention all the other picks we've traded away over the years.

I wasn't a fan of those moves at the time. JVR, Bozak, Gardiner and even arguably Andersen should've been moved for some sort of return at some point. Things were rushed, management didn't stay the course.

 

[Jojalu]

I highly doubt Dubas seriously ever entertained that proposal. People have proposed Knies in various trades here for rentals ever since we drafted him, it's crazy. Only now some fans are seeing how good he is. He was always considered untouchable by management.

Pretty sure the story came out this year that both Shanny and Dubas laughed at the proposal.

 

[Martin Skoula]

I wasn't a fan of those moves at the time. JVR, Bozak, Gardiner and even arguably Andersen should've been moved for some sort of return at some point. Things were rushed, management didn't stay the course.

1) JVR Bozak Gardiner Komarov and anything else above 27 with value out
2) Don’t spend 2 2nds on 4th line rentals
3) Spend 1 of the 1sts from selling vets + 2 2nds to outbid Tampa for McDonagh + Miller

Didn’t have to choose between continuing to build and getting early playoff experience, could have had both

 

[Jacquestrapless]

Should be locked up this summer before his breakout season.

 

[Mr_Fun]

I highly doubt Dubas seriously ever entertained that proposal. People have proposed Knies in various trades here for rentals ever since we drafted him, it's crazy. Only now some fans are seeing how good he is. He was always considered untouchable by management.

Yeah, I want to see the proof where Dubas came out and said he'd consider trading Knies for Fleury. This just smells like strawman to me.

 

[thusk]

First Gordie Howe hat trick by any Leaf in the Matthews era I think?

last was Winnik so yes

 

[BertCorbeau]

I think anyone who saw him play in the playoffs had a pretty good idea of how good he could be. What I was thinking last night was that watching how important him and Liljegren are to this team, how sweet would it be to have had another crack at drafting a major asset with the pick we traded for Foligno. Or what if traded JVR for a 1st back in the day, not to mention all the other picks we've traded away over the years.

My biggest what-if was Amirov .. such a tragic story.

He had top 6 winger impact potential. If he didn't have cancer and developed, it would have been interesting to see if he would have given the Leafs' a more justifiable reason to shake up the core.

Or it would have made it easier to deal someone like Robertson for another piece.

Anyway, Knies is really showing some potential. Absolutely love his game.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Always wanted Chris Kreider on the Leafs, a younger model is just what the doctor ordered.
Now we just need him to learn to run goalies

 

[Thornbury]

I remember making this thread. I knew he was going to be a monster. Just wait another 2-3 years. He just turned 21. He should have went top 10 in the 21 draft.

It was a home run pick, and another example of the team having done its homework and going slightly off the board. His draft year was hampered in the first half by injury and Covid. Our scouts saw him come on in the back half - like Cowan did - and snagged him. He's currently listed at 6' 3" and 217 lbs. As you say, in a couple years he'll likely be up to 225 lbs, and even tougher for opposing D to handle.

 

[Martin Skoula]

It was a home run pick, and another example of the team having done its homework and going slightly off the board. His draft year was hampered in the first half by injury and Covid. Our scouts saw him come on in the back half - like Cowan did - and snagged him. He's currently listed at 6' 3" and 217 lbs. As you say, in a couple years he'll likely be up to 225 lbs, and even tougher for opposing D to handle.

The other thing is he hasn’t even started getting mean yet. He’ll throw tactical hits for the purpose of winning possession and board battles but he had a few in college where it was clear he just wanted to ruin someone’s night regardless of the puck.

 

[Gary Nylund]

My biggest what-if was Amirov .. such a tragic story.

He had top 6 winger impact potential. If he didn't have cancer and developed, it would have been interesting to see if he would have given the Leafs' a more justifiable reason to shake up the core.

Or it would have made it easier to deal someone like Robertson for another piece.

Anyway, Knies is really showing some potential. Absolutely love his game.

Yes I didn't mention him only because I was commenting on the decisions made to trade away so many picks in the past whereas that was just bad luck for the Leafs, and a tragedy for Amirov. I was thinking of him though, such a sad story.

The other thing is he hasn’t even started getting mean yet. He’ll throw tactical hits for the purpose of winning possession and board battles but he had a few in college where it was clear he just wanted to ruin someone’s night regardless of the puck.

Ooh, I like the sound of that!!

 

[crump]

Guy is just getting started, keeping pace with other top ten forward picks from his draft year not named Beniers.

 

[scout20]

Chychrun to Leafs for Knies!

 

[A1LeafNation]

Chychrun to Leafs for Knies!

Lol no

 

[TMLife17]

If everyone tried like Knies we’d glide into a cup win easily. Kids a f***ing real gamer!