Report: Maple Leafs’ Knies expects contract extension to get done in off-season

Amid his best NHL season yet, Toronto Maple Leafs pending UFA Matthew Knies isn’t too focused on a contract extension right now.

Speaking to Daily Faceoff, the 22-year-old forward said, “I’m new to (contract negotiations), but I can’t say I’ve thought about it too much. There’s not many games left until the playoffs. I think that’s something that’s going to get figured out in the summer, and that’s when I can put more thought into it.” 

He added, “You always have to have a good corner with you and people to give you good advice. My agent has been with me since I was 13 or 14 years old — he’s like a family friend now, so if you have the right people around you, it makes it a lot easier of a decision for a college commitment or a contract. It’s nice to have someone that will take care of you in that process.” 

Knies, the 57th-overall pick by the Maple Leafs in the 2021 draft, is in the last year of his three-year, entry-level contract with an AAV of $925,000.

Through 54 games this season, he has recorded 21 goals and 16 assists for 37 points.

Last season, his first full NHL campaign, he posted 35 points (15 goals and 20 assists) in 80 games.

But Knies isn’t the only notable Maple Leaf set to hit free agency, as core forwards Mitch Marner and John Tavares are pending UFAs on expiring deals.

“I’m sure (Marner and Tavares are) getting a lot more attention for it, but I think they’re on the same page as me,” Knies told Daily Faceoff. “I don’t think we’re worried about it; we all want to stay, and we’re all going to try to figure out how we can manage to all stay here.” 

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