Matthew Knies could be the Red Wings’ next big swing with reports suggesting the Leafs winger may test the offer sheet market.
The NHL landscape is just days away from changing drastically as the NHL entry draft takes place this Friday in Los Angeles followed by the start of free agency next Tuesday on July 1st. The Detroit Red Wings have been involved in many trade and free agent rumours with GM Steve Yzerman looking to make a big move and a new one may be on the table according to new reports.
Offer sheets have become a massive talking point since last summer after Blues GM Doug Armstrong went out and added restricted free agents Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg from the Edmonton Oilers. The move was a smashing success as the two both had breakout seasons and led other GM's around the league to the idea of how effective they may be.
One name that is appearing to hit the offer sheet block is Toronto's Matthew Knies. The 22-year-old 6-foot-3 winger made headlines with his play last season, recording 29 goals and 29 assists for 58 points in 78 games, followed by five goals and two assists for seven points through 13 playoff games.
Knies' massive frame and quick feet made him an instant must-watch player as he perform highlight reel plays alongside star forwards Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews. After signing with the Maple Leafs straight out of college, he now finds himself a restricted free agent with many alluding to the fact that other teams would be more than willing to pay him $9-10 million per season if given the chance.
According to TNT commentator and the host of the Spittin' Chiclets podcast, Paul Bissontte, his sources inside the Maple Leafs organization have indicated to him that Knies and his agent will be testing the offer sheet market. This is a strategic move by Knies and his team as he was vocal about wanting to stay with the team and forcing the Maple Leafs to match an offer sheet that could be worth more than what they initially wanted to offer.
The Red Wings are a team looking to add just one more piece to their top-six forward group and if they submit an offer that Toronto can't match, they could land themselves a solid top-six forward that plays playoff-style hockey and has lots of room to continue growing at such a young age. The biggest pro for the Red Wings to go after Knies is even if they offer a crazy annual cap hit, the cap is going up for thr league, meaning a player of Knies' caliber could be worth roughly $9-10 million per season in a couple years.
It would allocate a lot of money that Detroit will likely want to spend elsewhere and fill different holes in their lineup but if they do decide to go down the Knies route then they can secure a playoff icebreaker that could be impactful for them in a couple years when they hope to be contending once again.
