What does a successful 2025-26 season look like for Matthew Knies?

Matthew Knies underwent a true breakout season, emerging as a bonafide power forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Knies is now the bridge between the team’s win-now window and its future, after signing a six-year extension worth $7.75 million in June. It’s incumbent upon Knies to continue to build upon his stellar 2024-25 campaign, with a greater leadership role going forward.

Knies was stapled to Toronto’s top line alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner for the past two seasons. Marner was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Nicolas Roy, and it appears that Matias Maccelli will get the first look on the right wing. Maccelli is a pass-first playmaker, but there will be a dropoff in every facet of the game, and it’s o n Matthews and Knies to rely upon their proven chemistry as the line benefits from continuity.

The 22-year-old can bowl over defenders and push his way into high-danger areas at an elite rate, he can skate through contact, and he displayed a willingness to pull off between-the-legs moves in rush scenarios, and with sustained zone time. Knies is one of the NHL’s ascending under-25 talents and he’s now a central member of a revised Core Four. He’s one of the few Maple Leafs players still expected to improve as he’s still a year or two away from his prime. For all of these reasons, you could argue that Knies is the most intriguing player on the team entering the 2025-26 season.

The goal: Record 30 goals and 60-plus points, make the U.S. men’s Olympic team 

Knies will be counted upon to take another leap and make up some of Marner’s departed offence. In his own right, Knies is expected to improve in all facets of his game and he showed significant improve on the penalty kill throughout the 2024-25 season. Knies is one of Craig Berube’s favourite players, he embodies all the qualities the Maple Leafs are looking for, and you could argue that he was the team’s second-best forward in the playoffs after William Nylander.

We’re trying to set a reasonable goal for Knies as there’s a natural temptation to project him as the player he will become in his prime. Knies recorded 29 goals and 58 points in 78 games last year, so the Leafs should expect a 30-goal plus campaign, especially if Matthews is healthy and he gets to benefit from the captain’s gravity effect. There’s also a secondary impetus for Knies to get the most out of his minutes with Matthews, as he’s vying for a spot on the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team. The easiest pathway to a roster spot will be convincing USA Hockey’s brain trust that he’s essential to getting t he optimal results out of Matthews.

Knies often has lead the charge during the playoffs during his short career with the Maple Leafs and has displayed natural leadership qualities. We’re looking forward to watching him take the next step in his stellar young career.

The expectation: Knies becomes irremovable part of both special teams, pushes for All-Star bid 

Auston Matthews and William Nylander are still the clear headliners of the team, while John Tavares is coming off a 38-goal campaign in his own right, but it’s now incumbent upon Knies to take another major leap. Knies can be deployed as a weapon in all situations, and because of his unique combination of his size, puck skills and tenacity, he’s become an absolute menace at the net-front on the power play. There’s an expectation for Knies to assert himself more consistently, although he never takes a shift off, and he never considered playing anywhere else but Toronto. Knies is growing into a folk hero due to his playing style and there’s a real pathway for greatness. Now’s the time to watch Knies become the newest member of the Core, score 30 goals, run over opponents and lead a revamped Leafs team to glory in the summer.