The Toronto Maple Leafs proceed to handle their very own, as they signed ahead Matthew Knies to a six-year extension on Sunday, a deal that carries a $7.75 million average-annual worth. Sources confirmed the finalized particulars to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan on Sunday afternoon, and Knies later posted information of the extension on social media.
The Phoenix, Arizona native was a pending restricted free agent subsequent month. The long-term deal secures one of many franchise’s top-line skaters from final season and an integral piece of their ahead group transferring ahead. It additionally permits Toronto to sidestep any concern of a proposal sheet being introduced for Knies if he have been to turn out to be a restricted free agent on Tuesday.
The signing comes on the heels of Toronto locking down their very own high six heart John Tavares over the weekend on a four-year contract that included a $4.38 million average-annual worth, exhibiting basic supervisor Brad Treliving’s want to retain as lots of the group’s personal pending free brokers as doable.
Knies, 22, is coming off a breakout marketing campaign with the Maple Leafs. Skating totally on the group’s high line Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, Knies collected 29 objectives and 58 factors in 78 video games whereas averaging 18:31 time on ice per sport and contributing on the membership’s high energy play unit and as a crucial penalty kill presence. Knies then added one other 5 objectives (second-most amongst Leafs) and 7 factors in 13 playoff contests. He additionally turned the one Leafs participant to ever amass 29 objectives and 180 hits in a single season.
Given Knies’ age, the six-year pact ought to give Toronto a few of his greatest profession years. And retaining Knies within the fold will assist decrease a number of the anticipated fallout from Marner’s virtually sure departure from the membership, both through free company or an indication and commerce state of affairs.
Both means, Knies’ significance to the Leafs’ future couldn’t be understated and the contract displays each side’ dedication to creating it affluent.