Latest News on Potential Matthew Knies Offer Sheet Poses Interesting Scenario for the Leafs

While an extension for Maple Leafs RFA Matthew Knies may be cheaper than expected, teams hoping to land him through an offer sheet are facing an entirely different scenario.

Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli has compiled a list of the five most likely restricted free agents in the NHL to receive offer sheets over the summer.

While it includes names like the New York Rangers' Will Cuylle and JJ Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres, the first name listed is, unsurprisingly, Matthew Knies.

What is surprising is the price Seravalli is listing as the offer it would take to pry Knies away from Toronto. Knies has repeatedly stated his desire to remain with the Maple Leafs, so it will take a lot to get him to sign an offer sheet, and for the Maple Leafs to refuse to match it. Seravalli puts that offer at close to $12 million per season for five years.

Any team looking to sneak an offer in will have to understand that Knies likely won't be worth the money he's making for at least another two to three years - if ever. That's not a knock on Knies; he just completed a breakout season and appears to have all the tools needed to get to that level.

However, $11.7 million a year would have Knies making slightly less than Connor McDavid , and slightly more than William Nylander. Given the reality of that, and the draft picks that would have to be returned as compensation, Leafs GM Brad Treliving can likely breathe a sigh of relief.