Per a new report from NHL analyst Nick Kypreos, it looks like the Maple Leafs and pending RFA forward Matthew Knies are far apart in their contract negotiations.
Much of the attention for the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer will be spent waiting the final decision on the futures of pending UFA forwards Mitch Marner and John Tavares with the club.
Both players are still part of Toronto's 'Core 4' that include Auston Matthews and William Nylander, both of whom were recently re-signed to multi-year contract extensions.
While it appears Marner likely won't return to the Leafs, Tavares is far more likely to re-sign. But in the meantime, the Leafs have a new problem on their hands when it comes to a key pending RFA.
Matthew Knies, who scored a new career-best 29 goals in his 2nd full year in the NHL, is reportedly far apart in contract negotiations with Leafs management per a report from Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos.
In a recent piece of The Toronto Sun, Kypreos reports that Knies' representation has presented the Leafs with a 'big ask' that they may be unwilling to give.
A few eyebrows are being raised with no announcement of a new contract for RFA Matthew Knies as we inch closer towards July 1. Some early indications point to a very large ask by the Knies camp and the Leafs could be reluctant to give in at this point. It may also indicate a new philosophy on being tougher when it comes to handing young star players money and term like the previous regime.
Additionally, Leafs Morning Take host Nick Alberga wrote a similar update on his X account of Knies and Toronto having to bridge negotiations if they want a deal done.
With the NHL Draft just around the corner & July 1st looming, I'm told the Leafs & Matthew Knies are currently far apart in contract talks.That said, both sides remain optimistic on finding common ground in the coming weeks.
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