Knies (upper body) was put on injured reserve Friday, retroactive to Nov. 20.
Knies has eight goals and 12 points over 20 appearances in 2024-25. The Maple Leafs were already missing forwards Max Domi (lower body), Calle Jarnkrok (groin), David Kampf (lower body), Max Pacioretty (lower body), Ryan Reaves (suspension) and, of course, Auston Matthews (upper body), so Toronto is looking rather thin up front. Until some of those players start returning, Bobby McMann, Nicholas Robertson and Pontus Holmberg might be deployed regularly in a top-six capacity. Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin also made their season and NHL debut, respectively, Wednesday and figure to be part of the third line until the Maple Leafs start getting healthy.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Not playing Sunday
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Head coach Craig Berube said Friday that Knies (upper body) is improving but will not play Sunday versus Utah, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.
Knies left Wednesday's game versus Vegas after taking a big hit, courtesy of Zach Whitecloud. The 22-year-old Knies has eight goals and 12 points in 20 games this season. It's not yet clear when the Maple Leafs expect him to return, but his next chance to do so will be Wednesday against Florida.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Still being evaluated
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Head coach Craig Berube said Thursday that Knies (upper body) is still being evaluated but is "feeling okay," Dave McCarthy of NHL.com reports.
Knies exited Wednesday's game against the Golden Knights due to an upper-body injury, and the severity of the issue isn't yet known. However, it's encouraging that the 22-year-old was feeling better a day after sustaining his injury, and he should be considered day-to-day for now. Whether he'll be available for Sunday's game against Utah remains to be seen.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Exits Wednesday's game
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Knies (upper body) won't return to Wednesday's game versus the Golden Knights.
Knies was injured on a Zach Whitecloud hit in the second period. The 22-year-old Knies had two goals and three assists over his previous six games before being held scoreless prior to his exit Wednesday. An update on his status should be available prior to the Maple Leafs' next game Sunday versus Utah.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Gets gift goal in OT win
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Knies scored a goal in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over Edmonton.
Evan Bouchard attempted a breakout pass from deep in his zone and fired a perfect gift to Knies in the slot, who wired the puck past a stunned Stuart Skinner. He has a point in each of his last two games, and five points (two goals, three assists) in his last six appearances. We'd like to see Knies shoot a bit more -- he has just six shots in his past six outings, and that will catch up to a guy, especially one with an abnormally-high 22.2 percent shooting rate.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Pockets helper
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Knies logged an assist and two shots on goal in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Capitals.
Knies set up a William Nylander tally in the third period. Knies also had a goal overturned in the contest. The 22-year-old winger has four points over his last five contests and continues to see top-line usage and power-play time. He's up to seven goals, four assists, 35 shots on net, 43 hits and eight PIM over 18 games in what's shaping up to be a breakout campaign.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Growth in game on full display
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Knies had a goal and an assist in a 4-0 victory over Boston on Tuesday. Both came on the power play.
Knies was parked in front of the net in the third, and he deflected a shot from William Nylander at the top of the crease. He has seven goals, two assists, 35 hits and 32 shots in 14 games this season. Those seven goals put him second on the team goal list behind William Nylander (10) -- yes, he's currently ahead of Auston Matthews. Knies has seized the opportunity to show off his north-south skills to gain the confidence of new coach Craig Berube, and his game has taken a big step forward.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Earns helper Saturday
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Knies recorded an assist in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Rangers.
Knies has earned a goal and an assist over his last three games, going plus-5 in that span. The 22-year-old doesn't hesitate to shoot -- he had 13 shots on net over his first four outings of the season before being held without a shot Saturday. Playing alongside Auston Matthews on the top line gives Knies upside, but fantasy managers may want to see him produce with some consistency before picking him up.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Shows off hands with snipe
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Knies scored his first goal of the season in a 4-2 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday.
It was a pretty down-on-one-knee wrist shot that beat Joel Blomqvist clean early in the second frame to push the Leafs up 2-1. Knies could have a career year offensively while skating alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner at even strength. Michael Bunting surpassed the 60-point plateau in 2021-22 while skating with Matthews, and Knies is more naturally talented than Bunts.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Contributes helper Thursday
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Knies produced an assist, two shots on goal, two hits and three blocked shots in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Bruins in Game 6.
Knies has picked his offense up in recent games, earning all three of his postseason points over the last four contests. He's been in a top-six role since Auston Matthews (illness) exited Toronto's lineup. Knies has added 12 shots on net, 22 hits, nine blocked shots and a minus-1 rating through six playoff outings.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Pots OT winner in Game 5
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Knies scored the game-winning goal Tuesday in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Bruins in Game 5.
The 21-year-old winger pounced on a rebound early in the first OT period after John Tavares had driven the Boston net and tried to jam home the puck. It was the second goal of the playoffs for Knies, but those represent his only two points in five games. If Auston Matthews (illness) isn't able to return for Thursday's Game 6, Knies may have to come up big again in order for the Leafs to avoid elimination again.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Reassigned to AHL
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Knies, who exited Thursday's game because of an undisclosed injury, was reassigned to AHL Toronto on Friday, per Lance Hornby of The Toronto Sun. It's believed this move is merely a paper transaction.
Knies has 11 goals, 36 points, 33 PIM and 127 hits in 61 NHL contests this season. Even if he is just temporarily being moved to the minors for cap reasons or to maintain his eligibility for the AHL playoffs, Knies being reassigned indicates that he's healthy enough to play. It wouldn't be surprising to see him recalled before Saturday's game against the Canadiens.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Gets 11th goal of season
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Knies scored a goal Thursday in a 4-2 win over Arizona.
It was an easy tap-in to open the scoring. Mitchell Marner stole a puck at the defensive blue line and took off on a breakaway, only to leave a between-the-legs drop pass for Knies who tapped it in from the top of the goal crease. Knies has 11 goals and 26 points in 57 games this season. Yes, more was expected from the rookie this year, but he's just one season removed from the NCAA, and his future is very bright.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Assists in back-to-back games
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Knies (knee) picked up an assist Thursday in a 4-3 OT loss to the Islanders.
Thankfully, he was no worse for wear after twisting his knee at practice. Knies has an assist in two consecutive games. He has shown bursts of impressive effort this season, but he hasn't been able to convert that to consistent offense. Knies has one goal in his last 11 games. And in his last 16 games since the start of Dec, Knies has just six points, including two goals. His future is bright, but he's a tough fantasy play in single-year formats right now.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Goals few and far between
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Knies scored a goal Wednesday in a 4-2 loss to Ottawa. It was his eighth of the season.
Auston Matthews' shot deflected off Knies' skate in the slot at 5:41 of the first to open the scoring. It was Knies first goal in four games, and it was just his second goal and fourth point in his last 12 games. He shows tremendous presence and potential on the ice, but like so many young players, Knies can be a challenging play with many dry spells.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Ruled out again
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Knies (illness) will not be available versus Columbus on Thursday, Luke Fox of Sportsnet reports.
Knies skated Thursday morning but won't be ready to suit up against the Blue Jackets. The 21-year-old winger is currently mired in a six-game goal drought during which he has registered just six shots while recording a lone assist. Still, once cleared to play, the youngster could be thrust back into a top-six role while seeing opportunities with the No. 2 power-play unit.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Third goal in five games
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Knies scored a goal Saturday in a 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh.
Knies drove the net and punched in a rebound in the first period that put the Leafs up 2-1. It was his third goal in five games and sixth in 19 this season. Knies is seeing time alongside first-line studs Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner, and he doesn't look out of place. The 21-year-old Knies is on the rise.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Posts power-play helper
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Knies recorded a power-play assist and three hits in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Stars.
Knies dropped down to the third line for this game. He helped out on Tyler Bertuzzi's third-period marker as the Maple Leafs' second power-play unit made some noise. Knies saw 52 seconds of power-play time Thursday after drawing just 10 seconds with the man advantage over the first six games. He has four points, nine shots on net, eight hits, six PIM and a plus-1 rating through seven outings while mainly working in a middle-six role.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Short circuits Bolts to force OT
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Knies scored twice in the third period and added an assist Saturday in a 4-3 overtime win over the Lightning.
Knies' goals tied the game and forced overtime. They were his first regular-season NHL goals. He scored in the postseason last year, and interestingly enough, seven of Knies' eight NHL points have come against the Bolts when you add in those playoff games.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Practicing Friday
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Knies (concussion) is partaking in an optional practice Friday, Jonas Siegel of The Athletic reports.
This is the first time that Knies has returned to the ice since suffering the injury in Game 2 versus Florida on May 4. Knies has played quite well for the Maple Leafs since signing his entry-level contract April 9. He has a goal and four points in seven postseason games. Knies should be considered doubtful for Game 5 on Friday, but could return Sunday, if there is a Game 6.
