'I Have to Perform': Matthew Knies Ready to Embrace Larger Role With Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton | Imagn Images
Ahead of training camp, Leafs' rising star Matthew Knies is looking forward to the challenge of taking on a larger role with the club and living up to his new deal.
Matthew Knies' sophomore campaign was a breakout season for the 22-year-old as he finished the season with 29 goals and 58 points in 78 regular season games.
Coupled with a 35-point rookie season, his size, skill and potential, the Leafs rewarded the Arizona native with a six-year, $46.5M extension at the end of June.
Days later, the Leafs ended their relationship with his linemate Mitch Marner, shipping the supposedly disgruntled winger to the Vegas Golden Knights. Almost immediately, Knies was thrust into the spotlight as someone the Leafs would need more from in the upcoming season despite entering just his third full season.
Matthew Knies Ready for Larger Role With Maple Leafs
Aside from attending Team U.S.A's Olympic orientation camp the last week of August, Knies has spent the summer in Minnesota preparing for the upcoming season, working on the specifics that he, Leafs' head coach Craig Berube and the rest of the coaching staff agreed on in his exit meeting.
This past week, Knies sat down with The Athletic's Joshua Kloke and revealed what exactly those areas were -- wall play, becoming leaner and more agile and precision noting that the Leafs left most of his off-season planning up to him.
"A lot of it this summer has just been myself doing my own drills. Now, having played for two seasons, I've figured out what my game needs and where my game is not the strongest. So I think a lot of this stuff I take on myself...I want to get as physically dominant as possible," Knies said.
As for an expanded role without Marner, Knies is happy to take on whatever extra responsibilities Berube asks of him.
"I have to perform better and take on a little bit more ice time or take on a bigger role. If that's what's needed and expected, then you know I'm going to be ready for it and hopefully successful in those areas," Knies said.
The former second-round pick is leaving no doubt that he is ready for the upcoming season and is looking forward to earning every dollar of his new deal.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 8 | 676 ANSWERS 'I Have to Perform': Matthew Knies Ready to Embrace Larger Role With Maple Leafs Will Matthew Knies replicate his production from last season? | ||
| Yes, it's not asking a lot for a first liner | 322 | 47.6 % |
| No, he might take a step back without Marner | 88 | 13 % |
| He should be able to produce a bit more | 266 | 39.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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