Toronto Maple Leafs: Matthew Knies a Calder Darkhorse

The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to miss Michael Bunting next season more than people probably think.

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost Bunting when he signed on as a free-agent with the Carolina Hurricanes this summer. 

The Leafs were right to let him walk, as his $4.5 million cap hit was pretty expensive (though in retrospect, he’d certainly be a better investment than Max Domi, or John Klingberg).

The Leafs basically replaced Bunting with Bertuzzi, which is not an upgrade.  Bertuzzi has never had a season like Bunting did 2 years ago when he posted one of the best 5v5 seasons since the year 2000, and scored the same amount of points as Connor McDavid 5v5.

And he did it for $900 K making his value insane.

There is no way the Leafs can replicate that this year.

Well, not with Bertuzzi anyways.

Enter Matthew Knies, the rookie who has become the Leafs top prospect.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Matthew Knies a Calder Darkhorse

With GM Brad Treliving spending money in a very value-free way that is nearly inexplicable considering how the Leafs operated over the last several years, the Leafs are going to need to hit on a star player making cheap money.

Essentially, they will need to get a new Bunting (who, let’s face it, performed like a star because of where he played and who he played with).

Matthew Knies can be that player.

And while any sane person would be on Connor Bedard winning the Calder if he plays even half the season, Knies has a decent shot of being one of the league’s top rookies, and is a long-shot Calder pick.

The reason there is a chance is that we’ve already seen Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner turn a 25 year old non-prospect into a star, and Knies is certainly way better than Bunting was at the same age.

Obviously it is rare for players to step right into the NHL and play on the first line, score 30 goals and be an instant-star, especially if they aren’t top five picks.  However, Knies is a 6’3 210 lbs monster who has already shown he can play in the NHL playoffs.

There is no guarantee he gets Bunting’s old spot, but it would be the most sensible move for the Leafs since Bertuzzi doesn’t exactly need the help, and they are desperate (or should be) to get a sub-million dollar player to contribute.

If Matthews and Marner are healthy and combining for over 200 points and a 100 goals, and Knies ends up playing on their wing, there is no reason he can’t be among the league’s top 5v5 point-getters and earn some PP time.

If that happens, a 40 goal rookie season and a Calder Trophy aren’t completely impossible.