Matthew Knies shares thoughts on his rookie season in Toronto

Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Matthew Knies proved his true worth during the team's first round series matchup with the Boston Bruins.

Knies had an up and down first full NHL season, scoring 15 goals and 35 points in 80 games. The game to game consistency wasn't there for the rookie and the grind of a full season started to take a noticeable toll on Knies, who never played more than a 44-game season at any point in his hockey career.

Knies knew much more was expected of him when the playoffs began and the 21-year-old delivered when it mattered for his team. Knies used his 6-foot-3 frame, to hunt down pucks all series long, getting in the face of Boston's best players and even got into a heated exchange with David Pastrnak in Game 5, with the rookie famously punking the Bruins superstar in his own rink at TD Garden. He would later score the game winning goal in overtime to keep Toronto fighting on.

With Toronto's season now over, Knies was asked to reflect on how his play was during the first round series.




Knies is a true power forward for Toronto who brings the perfect combination of size and speed which can really give his opponents trouble. He's primed to take another huge leap in his development next season on the back of his strong playoff showing.