Maple Leafs’ Matthew Knies Grateful For Mitch Marner’s Guidance, Won’t Call Games Against Golden Knights ‘A Rivalry’

Matthew Knies won't go as far as saying the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights will be rivals after Mitch Marner joined their organization.

The 22-year-old appeared on the Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast with Jonny Lazarus on Wednesday, sharing his thoughts on the upcoming season, his time with the Maple Leafs, and what it'll be like to face Marner when Toronto rolls into Vegas on January 15.

Marner was dealt to the Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade on June 30. He inked an eight-year, $96 million contract with Toronto before being shipped to Vegas for center Nicolas Roy.

"I don't know if it's going to be a rivalry," Knies said.

"I love the guy. He did a lot for me in his two years here. He made me so comfortable, made me a better player, better person. I don't think it's a rivalry. You know, obviously, I want to beat him, but I think it's just business as usual."

Knies is coming off a career year where 58 points (29 goals and 29 assists) in 78 games, plus seven points in 13 playoff games. He scored five goals through two rounds, tied for the second-most alongside John Tavares.

The Phoenix, Arizona-born forward signed a massive six-year, $46.5 million contract on July 1 with the Maple Leafs. The deal, which carries an annual average value of $7.75 million, is the third-highest AAV on the team, only behind William Nylander and Auston Matthews.

Knies has spent the majority of his time in Toronto playing alongside Matthews and Marner on Toronto's top line. The young forward added that he'll be excited to see Marner again and be able to talk with him when the two teams face off in January.

"I think maybe off the ice it'll be nice to chat with him and get to say hi. I haven't seen him in quite a bit with the summer now, and obviously we're not going to be on the same team during the year. Just getting to chat with him a little bit would be cool."

After playing in Vegas on January 15, the two teams will face each other again in Toronto on January 23. It'll be the only time Marner will play in his hometown next season. Expect that matchup to be circled on a lot of people's calendars.

Marner has spent all nine NHL seasons with the Maple Leafs, scoring 741 points (221 goals and 520 assists) in 657 games. The 28-year-old is fifth all-time on the franchise's points list, fourth in assists, and fifth in Toronto's all-time playoff points (63 points in 70 postseason games).