Knies is one of three players in the NHL this season with 25 goals and 150 hits.
Feb 4, 2025; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matthew Knies (23) against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Matthew Knies is part of a pretty impressive group of players this season.
The Toronto Maple Leafs forward is one of three players — including the Washington Capitals' Tom Wilson and the Ottawa Senators' Brady Tkachuk — who has 25 goals and 150 hits this season.
The 22-year-old's 155 hits are the most among Maple Leafs forwards this year, 50 ahead of Max Pacioretty, who's in second spot. Knies' 25 goals are the fourth-most with Toronto, behind Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and Mitch Marner.
"He's very unique, in my opinion, with those two stats," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said Saturday in Nashville. "There's not a lot of guys that can do what he can do. There is guys for sure that do that and play that way. There's not a lot, though."
Wilson and Tkachuk have the lead over Knies with hits and goals, but what makes this such an impressive feat for the Toronto forward is how much younger he is than the other two players.
Knies turns 23 in October, Tkachuk turns 26 in September, and Wilson, a veteran in the league, is 30.
"I just want to be a hard player to play against," Knies said.
"I want to be able to score in different ways and provide in different ways with a little bit of playing on the PK, blocking shots, making hits, stuff like that. I think it adds an impact on the game. That's the kind of player I try to be."
Knies began as a full-time NHLer last season. He's already shattered his career-high in points (he scored 15 goals and 20 assists last season) with 25 goals and 20 assists currently and is quickly approaching his high in hits from last year (169).
Going from college to the NHL is a huge jump, not just in terms of competition but also of the length of the season. There were stretches last season where you could see Knies fighting through the NHL schedule for the first time.
However, with a season now under his belt, the power forward says he feels a lot better than he did at this point last year.
"I think the body's just a little bit more used to it. I know how to take care of myself just a little bit better," Knies said. "My body's feeling good. I still feel refreshed and just excited for the back half now."
Knies admitted that he's learned a lot over the last year about keeping his body in tip-top shape, not only from the team's staff but also from his teammates: "You take different things from a lot of players in (the dressing room). Watching a guy like [John Tavares], it's pretty easy to pick up a routine that's healthy and helps your recovery and stuff like that."
The forward has bounced around the lineup but primarily plays alongside Matthews and Marner on Toronto's top line. Berube's dump-and-chase system works perfectly for Knies, whose game fits that style of hockey.
Many predicted that Knies would be this player in the NHL, however it was unknown how quickly he'd get there. Berube, though, has had a front-row seat to watching the Knies evolve into a strong, productive forward.
"On the line he's playing on. being physical is important, and with his skating and strength, getting in on the forecheck like he is, I think that's allowed him to get the physical hits that's needed," Berube said.
"He forechecks extremely well. He gets on top of people quickly, closes, and makes contact, and wins a lot of those puck battles."
Knies will be a restricted free agent at the end of this season and he's clearly in line for a huge payday. Toronto is lucky to have a forward like this, but what will be most interesting is seeing how productive Knies will be in his prime.
If he's already this good, who knows how scary the Phoenix, Arizona native will be at 26 or 27.
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