Maple Leafs Matthew Knies in Elite Company After Stellar Season

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a busy offseason filled with key signings, trades, and roster reshuffling.

One of the most notable moves was the long-term extension given to 22-year-old Matthew Knies, who signed a 6-year, $46.5 million deal, carrying an average annual value of $7.75 million.

While the contract may seem steep for a player with limited NHL experience, it's already starting to look like a bargain - especially given where Knies was recently ranked among the league's top young talent.

In NHL.com's article titled "Top-10 Forwards Under 25 Entering This Season" Knies earned a spot in the top 10, a strong indicator of how he's viewed league-wide.

As shared by LeafsLatest on X:

Knies finds himself in elite company - ranked just behind top-tier talents like Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard, and ahead of notable young stars such as Seth Jarvis and Matvei Michkov.

A dynamic power forward, Knies is known for his strong puck possession, defensive responsibility, and goal-scoring ability.

Last season, posted career highs with 29 goals and 29 assists for 58 points in 78 games. Knies followed that up with a strong playoff performance scoring 5 goals and 7 points in 13 games, including several clutch moments.

The ranking comes as a pleasant surprise to Leafs fans, especially after the recent disappointment in Scott Wheeler's Top 100 Prospect List, where Easton Cowan was ranked just 48th, despite a dominant junior career with the London Knights.

As for Knies, the path forward is clear for him. He's already established himself as one of the league's most promising power forwards - and with his size, skill, and determination, the sky's the limit for the young Maple Leaf.