Despite a loss in an otherwise strong game to open the season, the expectations for the Toronto Maple Leafs are as high as ever.
Though he didn't perform all that well in the Toronto Maple Leafs Opening Night game, there's one player in particular that stands out as having the potential for a breakout this season -- Matthew Knies.
Knies, still only 21-years-old, is in the final year of his entry-level contract and will become a restricted free agent at the conclusion of this upcoming season.
With a cap-hit of only $925,000, Knies percentage of the salary cap will be only 1.05% this season. It's not often that the Maple Leafs get good, effective players at a small percentage of the cap, so Knies having a breakout season on the final season of his ELC would be fantastic for the franchise.
Toronto Maple Leafs Matthew Knies poised for breakout season
Knies was drafted by the Maple Leafs 57th overall in the 2021 Entry Draft and he made his debut with the team during the 2022-23 season, although he only played three games that regular season.
Knies missed just two games this past regular season, putting up 15 goals and 20 assists, although his biggest goal for the team came in game 5 of the first round of the playoffs against the Boston Bruins. Down 3-1 in the series, Knies potted one past Jeremy Swayman in overtime to send the series back to Toronto for a game 6.
The University of Minnesota product is expected to start the season on the first line, slotted beside Auston Matthews in the middle and Mitch Marner on the right, although as Leafs fans are well aware from seasons prior, anything can happen and those lines can become jumbled very quickly.
According to NHL.com's fantasy hockey player projections, they project Knies to finish with 43 points this season, which would be a seven point upgrade from the season prior. Playing on a line with Auston Matthews certainty increases your chance of racking up the assists.
While the Leafs would love to see Knies take a massive step and breakout for 30+ goals, a more modest improvement would perfectly acceptable.
A good season for Knies is that he keeps a hold of a top-six job all season long, pots around 20 goals and posts strong on-ice numbers as he digs out pucks and uses his size to compliment the Leafs stars. Anything more than that is a bonus that could turn the Leafs into one of the top teams in the NHL.