Yardbarker
x
Matthew Knies Shuts Down Major Rumours Involving His Future
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Matthew Knies' future has become a major talking point in Toronto as of late, and now he's addressed it after the team's Stanley Cup Playoffs failure.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have built a very impressive core, but once again, they failed to go deep in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and it's going to lead to some big changes in the off-season.

While the team are likely going to lose one or even both of Mitch Marner and John Tavares, that will free up some space for young star Matthew Knies, who is set to be a restricted free agent this off-season.

When asked about his future, Knies reportedly scoffed at the idea of signing an offer sheet elsewhere, reiterating his loyalty to the Maple Leafs and his desire to remain with the team long-term.

The Phoenix native took another leap forward in 2024/25, his second full season at the NHL level, posting career highs of 29 goals and 58 points in 79 games played, and now, the belief is that he's ready to be a star on the Maple Leafs top line moving forward.

One thing that he didn't address however was a potential extension and whether he'd prefer a bridge deal or a long-term contract, but given the way that the salary cap is going up, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him sign a short-term deal like Auston Matthews before setting himself up for a big pay day.

Of course that comes with risk too, but Knies is a player full of self belief, and after two solid seasons to start his career in Toronto, he's ready to take his game to the next level for this team.

Ultimately, there has been chatter that Knies could be the subject of an offer sheet, but after his comments, it's highly unlikely he'll sign one this summer as he looks to become a star in Toronto that helps them finally get over the hump in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!