The Toronto Maple Leafs were asked multiple times during the NHL trade deadline period if they would include forward Matthew Knies in a deal. Leafs general manager Brad Treliving gave the same answer of no each time.
The Toronto Maple Leafs traded away two first-round draft picks and one of their top prospects (Fraser Minten) in separate deals to acquire forward Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers and Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins. Adding to your main roster without taking much away from it is a bonus, and keeping a young player like Knies was important to Treliving.
Knies, at 22 years of age, will become a restricted free agent (RFA) in the off-season. There is no knowing if the Leafs and Knies will get a new contract signed before the season ends or not but one thing is clear, the Leafs want to keep Knies, and Knies doesn't want to leave. While talking with Luke Fox from Sportsnet recently, Knies declined to talk about his contract status but he made it known that he intends to re-sign with the Leafs.
When a player like Knies is determined to stay, and the GM refuses to trade that player on multiple occasions, getting a new contract signed shouldn't be too difficult. The main questions being asked are how long will a new Knies contract be? and how much will he make? Will he give up a bit of money to sign a long-term (6 to 8 years) deal, or will he sign a bridge deal (2 to 3 years) and try to maximize on the next deal?
Toronto Maple Leafs and Matthew Knies not looking to part ways
Knies finished his rookie season with 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points in 80 games. He has 25 goals and 20 assists for 45 points through 64 games this season.
The fact that the Leafs could have a player who will score between 25-30 goals, have around 50 points, and finish the season with around 180 hits, means they will have one of the NHL's best young power forwards.
(All stats from hockey-reference.com)
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Knies has the potential to be the best power forward in the NHL as he climbs into his prime a few years from now. Hopefully, he will still be a member of the Leafs when that happens. I also believe that if Knies signs a long-term deal, he will be the future face of the Leafs franchise. First things first, Treliving needs to get Knies to put pen to paper and get a new deal signed.