Why Matthew Knies 'Wanted To Go Long-Term' On Six-Year Extension With The Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies was never interested in signing an offer sheet.

The 22-year-old forward officially inked a six-year extension with the Maple Leafs on Tuesday morning. The annual average value of the contract, $7.75 million, will turn out to be a great deal for both sides in the long term.

"I love the staff there. I love the players. We get treated phenomenally, and I think it's just a great spot for me," Knies told TSN's James Duthie on Tuesday. "I think we really have a winning culture and I think I really trust (Brad) Treliving and (Craig) Berube and the rest of the staff to create a great team and give us the best chance to win."

Year over year, Knies has grown into the powerhouse of a player that many predicted him to be. He first inserted himself into the conversation in 2023, helping the Maple Leafs get past the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs.

Following that year, the forward scored 15 goals and 20 assists in his rookie season. In the playoffs last year, Knies added two goals and one assist in seven games against the Boston Bruins.

This past season, though, is where Knies took the biggest step. He finished the regular season with a career-high 29 goals and 29 assists in 78 games, plus five goals and two assists in 13 playoff games against the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers.

"I just wanted to be here as long as possible, really," Knies said on Tuesday when asked if he preferred a long or short-term deal.

"I wanted longer term, and I think this deal just kind of fit best for me with my trajectory as a player, I think that this was kind of the sweet spot for both of us. I was just excited to get it done and get it done before free agency, and try to help them out as much as possible.

"I don't think the bridge deal was really in my head. I think I really wanted to go long term, and the six years felt the best."

Knies was on his way back from a Morgan Wallen concert in Madison, Wisconsin, when he found out he'd be with the Maple Leafs for six more years.

"I called my parents, and I'm going to see him here shortly. I think that they were really excited," he smiled. All my buddies were excited too, so it was a fun time for sure. I think going into holiday weekend, we can choose to celebrate a little bit more. But yeah, I'm excited that it all got all done and you know that both sides are happy."

Any big purchases after the massive extension?

"Honestly, I haven't thought about it too much. It's only been a few days, but hopefully, I think Morgan Rielly said he'll text me a few ideas and hopefully he'll bounce it back and forth and we'll see," Knies said.

"I think just enjoying my summer, and I think I have one weekend to celebrate it here on the Fourth of July and then it kind of gets back to the summer grind and getting ready for the season."

The young forward said he wants to work on all facets of his game, most importantly his skating.

"I think that there's still a lot of room in the skating aspect. I think I can become a much better skater, a faster skater," he added.

"I don't necessarily think I have to get any heavier than I am right now. I think staying where I am and just turning a little bit of that weight more into muscle and becoming quicker and faster on the ice, I think is going to be is going to be huge for me. So I think that's the main focus."

Knies was drafted by the Maple Leafs in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft, and now he'll be with Toronto for eight more years until 2031.

"I think that everyone's so invested. The whole city's constantly wanting the best for us, wanting us to win," he said about his love for playing in Toronto.

"I think that's what every guy on our team wants to do, is just to deliver that to them. And yeah, it's a special place to play. I don't think anyone feels that it's too much or it's not the right spot. I think everyone loves it and enjoys it. Yeah, so I'm pretty fortunate to be playing for them."