The Toronto Maple Leafs will have several key contract decisions to make over the next 11 months. Team captain John Tavares and Mitch Marner are both entering the final year of their contracts. Marner is aiming for a lucrative long-term deal, while the Leafs are expected to re-sign Tavares at a lower cost compared to his current $11 million salary.

Another contract issue to address is that of forward Matthew Knies, who is finishing his Entry Level Contract (ELC) and will become a restricted free agent (RFA) next summer. At 21, Knies is a 6’3″, 216-pound winger with significant potential.

Drafted in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft by former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas, Knies had a solid rookie season with 15 goals and 20 assists in 80 games. He showed promise during the 2023 playoffs, especially in the series against Boston, where he scored two goals, including the overtime winner in Game 5, and contributed with 23 hits.

Leafs GM Brad Treliving has been active in re-signing players such as Simon Benoit, Joseph Woll, Timothy Liljegren, and Bobby McMann. It would be prudent for Treliving to secure Knies now to avoid a potential increase in cost. Knies is expected to thrive under new head coach Craig Berube, with an increased role in the top six and potential for higher point totals. Signing him to a long-term deal now could be more economical than waiting until after a possible 50-point season. A reasonable prediction for Knies’ next contract is a 5-6 year deal worth $3.5 million to $4 million annually.

Knies has a promising future, and as long as he remains with the Leafs, their prospects look bright as well. Both Knies and the Leafs will be aiming for a deeper playoff run this season, with hopes that Treliving’s strategic moves will contribute to that success.