Feb 4, 2025; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matthew Knies (23) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Nine days after Matthew Knies admitted his desire to remain with the Toronto Maple Leafs beyond this season, Toronto general manager Brad Treliving said the same.
The 22-year-old, set to become a restricted free agent on July 1, had a career year with the Maple Leafs, scoring 29 goals and 29 assists in 78 games. He added five goals and two assists for Toronto through 13 playoff games.
"I'd like to get [the contract] done as soon as possible," Treliving said on Thursday. "Usually, term and money are the only two issues that come into play on contract negotiations."
When Knies stepped in front of the cameras on May 20, a few days after Toronto's playoff elimination at the hands of the Florida Panthers, he said his best chance to win was with the Maple Leafs.
As an RFA, however, there's the chance Knies could receive an offer sheet from another NHL team if he's not signed by July 1. Knies, though, would have to agree to the contract for Toronto to have to match it.
From what the forward said on locker cleanout day, it doesn't appear he wants to go down that route. "I want to be here. I want to play here," he said. "That's all that really matters to me."
What could the contract look like, though?
"We'll see. Like I said, there's two parties here. I think Matthew's still just scratching the surface. So we've got to see what fits for us, what fits for them," Treliving said.
"But I see him as a long-term player here. I'm not trying to be elusive. You'd always like to sign them all for the longest and as lowest as you can. He's a hell of a player, and we're working on it."
There was a lot of growth for Knies away from the puck, too. He's becoming someone who can be relied upon in all situations for Toronto. Not just on the top line and the power play, but also on the penalty kill. What's most improved from the power forward is how he's used his massive 6-foot-3, 227-pound frame.
"We're sort of seeing him evolve in front of our eyes. It's a big step for a young player to become a really important player, right? Like you can be a good player and have a role. He became a really important player," Treliving said.
"Matthew had an injury in game six, muscled through it. That wasn't 100 percent Matthew Knies in game seven, right? Like he was muscling through it. But I thought he was really good."
Knies' return to the Maple Leafs is all but certain, unless something drastic occurs over the next few weeks and into July 1. The player said it, and so did Toronto's GM. Now, it's just a matter of how much money Knies will get and how long the contract will be.
"For a guy who hasn't been through that, this is his second full year. I thought he was really good. He was an impactful player," Treliving said.
"Matthew's a big part of the future moving forward."
