Extension for RFA Matthew Knies May Be Cheaper Than Expected for the Maple Leafs

After an already productive sophomore season, Matthew Knies put the league on notice with a strong playoff performance, producing 5 goals and 7 points across 13 games, often appearing to be the best Maple Leaf on the ice during their run.

Instead of celebrating his success, Knies went right back to work in preparation for an even bigger 2025-26 season, traveling to Minnesota to begin his summer training immediately with some former NCAA teammates.

Knies is already eligible to sign a new deal, and Leafs GM Brad Treliving has confirmed that the Leafs would like to have his deal done as soon as possible. The question is, what will it cost the Leafs?

On Tuesday, THN's Nick Barden released an article suggesting that Knies, who some have projected could earn as much as $9M per season on a long-term deal, should come in closer to the $7.25M range.

Barden's article, linked below, suggests that Knies' deal should fall between Matt Coronato's $6.5M cap hit and Wyatt Johnston's $8.4M cap hit.

Earlier this offseason, Knies made it very clear to the Maple Leafs that Toronto is where he wants to be long-term.

If Knies is true to his word, perhaps the Leafs will be able to convince him to leave a little bit of money on the table for the sake of leaving them some extra salary cap dollars to spend elsewhere to help sculpt a championship roster.