Maple Leafs' Negotiations with Matthew Knies Could Become Quite Contentious
Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
The Maple Leafs may be in for contentious negotiations with pending restricted free agent Matthew Knies based on the numbers shared by one insider.
Last summer, the Leafs engaged in a lengthy back-and-forth with Nicholas Robertson following his shocking request for a trade on June 30th. Ultimately, the two sides agreed to a one-year deal days before training camp.
This next set of negotiations with Robertson should once again be quite contentious, but it's Matthew Knies' negotiations that may pose the biggest challenge, as TSN's Chris Johnston discussed on his latest episode of 'The Chris Johnston Show'.
Johnston noted that the Leafs will have the flexibility to match any offer-sheet presented to the Arizona native, but revealed they may choose to walk away at a certain dollar amount.
"I don't see the Leafs being backed into a financial corner. I think they would have the cap room to match that offer, if it was a fair offer and if they think it's a goofy amount of money, they can just take the multiple first-round picks.
I think anything $8M and under is probably the comfort level for the Leafs, but if you're signing him to a $9M or $10M offer then you have more than one first-rounder coming Toronto's way"
I think anything $8M and under is probably the comfort level for the Leafs, but if you're signing him to a $9M or $10M offer then you have more than one first-rounder coming Toronto's way"
On Tuesday, when speaking with the media following his year-end meetings with Craig Berube and Brad Treliving, Knies re-iterated that he wants to stay in Toronto, but if his ask is out of the Leafs' reported comfort zone, things could get complicated.
The good news for Leafs Nation is that Knies' AAV on a new deal will likely fall between $7M and $8M on a short-term deal, according to The Fourth Period's Dave Pagnotta.
Regardless of the dollar amount, the one thing the Leafs cannot do - something they did with Marner - is walk Knies directly to free agency.
After a career year that saw the 22-year-old tally 29 goals and 58 points in 78 regular season games, Knies added another 5 goals and 7 points in 13 playoff games.
| POLL | ||
MAI 23 | 6153 ANSWERS Maple Leafs' Negotiations with Matthew Knies Could Become Quite Contentious What are you comfortable with signing Matthew Knies for? | ||
| Less than $7M | 2071 | 33.7 % |
| $7M - $8M | 2549 | 41.4 % |
| $8M - $9M on long-term | 1235 | 20.1 % |
| $9M+ on a max extension | 298 | 4.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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