Leafs' Matthew Knies Addresses Future in Toronto After His Name Came Up in Trade Rumours

From the onset of training camp Knies made it very clear he wanted to be a Leaf for a long time.

That being said, the two sides have not been overly concerned with working out a shiny new extension during the season.

A restricted free agent, the 22-year-old does not have any trade protection in his entry-level contract and admitted to reporters Wednesday after practice that he was on edge until the deadline last Friday.

The Arizona native had every right to be a little nervous with the Leafs reportedly far down the road on acquiring Mikko Rantanen, but the teamrejected the Carolina Hurricanes' ask to include Knies in a package for the Finnish forward.

The second-round pick from 2021 is having himself quite the year on the Leafs' top line next to Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner already tallying 24 goals and 43 points across 60 games and will be in line for a huge raise from his current $925K salary this summer.

What that number looks like is anyone's guess, but many expect Knies to be approached on July 1st with a handful of offersheets if he hasn't already inked an extension.

Fans shouldn't be worried about the power-forward leaving, however, as it would take a ridiculous overpay by another team for the Leafs to not match any offer immediately.

With less than 18 games until the playoffs, Knies will look to help the Leafs secure home-ice advantage and top the 30-goal mark for the first time in his young career.