Matthew Knies Makes His Intentions For July 1st Known to the Public and to the Maple Leafs

For the Maple Leafs, they're all still very much reeling after the disheartening 6-1 beatdown they endured at the hands of the Florida Panthers in Game 7, which took them out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Still, with locker room clear-out day on Tuesday, the players were expected to meet with the media, even though the reality of it all hasn't quite set in yet.

Matthew Knies was one of the players who spoke publicly on Tuesday, and among the topics discussed was his injury in Game 6 and the limitations it forced on him.

Knies revealed that while the injury did hinder him in Games 6 and 7, it's something that will not require surgery.

The pending restricted free agent also addressed rumours of a potential offer sheet scenario, indicating that it his not his intention to go that route. He fully intends to sign an extension in Toronto.

While Knies made it clear that he fully intends to remain a member of the Maple Leafs, he did not tip his hand in terms of what he might be looking for, salary-wise or contract length.

The Arizona product took a huge step forward this season, and emerged as a true scoring threat in the playoffs as well, establishing himself as a real difference-maker.

While it appears as though Mitch Marner may be preparing for a change of scenery, the silver-lining is that Knies, along with former captain John Tavares, wish to remain in Toronto and be a part of the long-term solution with captain Auston Matthews and winger William Nylander.