Yahoo Sports 'I Want To Stay Here': Matthew Knies Hasn't Thought About Contract Negotiations with Maple Leafs Ahead of Final Season Under Entry-Level Contract
Matthew Knies is entering the final year of his entry-level deal but hasn't thought about contract negotiations with Toronto yet.
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The 20-year-old forward will be a restricted free agent this summer, just one-and-a-half years after signing his three-year ELC with the Maple Leafs in Apr. 2023. Given his past play in the league and the potential in his game, this could be a major contract for Knies.
However, on the second day of Maple Leafs training camp, he's not looking at this next season any differently.
"I haven't really thought about [the season] any differently than any other year. It's the same as last year," Knies said on Friday. "Just try to make an impact, be a contributor, be a reason as to why we go farther in the playoffs, be someone that helps the team win on a daily basis. That's what my main focus is. I don't think it's really changed."
The forward scored 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points in 80 games with the Maple Leafs last season. Knies also had two goals and an assist in seven games against the Boston Bruins in the first round earlier this spring.
Toronto head coach Craig Berube has already instilled some faith in the young forward's game by placing him alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner at camp. And even Knies understands the responsibility that carries.
But when it comes to a new contract, and negotiations with Toronto, Knies elected not to discuss it with the media, similar to other players on expiring contracts following this season.
"I don't really want to get into that. I want to stay here. I know a lot of guys want to stay here," he said. "It's a pretty awesome place to play. I think I'm just going to leave that out of my hands and just work on getting better and contributing."
Toronto's lineup for their first preseason game this weekend against the Ottawa Senators on Sunday isn't set in stone yet, but we may see Knies in the lineup.
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube says they're "pretty close" to finalizing the group that'll play inside Scotiabank Arena on Sunday, though he didn't give many hints as to who might play.
"I'll sit down with Brad (Treliving) and the coaches and we'll go over [it]," Berube said. "We only have six games, so it's definitely important to get our NHL guys in there, and obviously, there's young guys and people fighting for jobs that you want to see too, that have shown me something in the first two days."
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