The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a robust spot heading towards the 2024-25 marketing campaign and are hoping they will lastly finish their lengthy drought with out a Stanley Cup. Whereas they haven’t gained a championship since 1967, the Maple Leafs are in an awesome place this season with an improved defensive core, a robust ahead group, and steady goaltending. They signed Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson to resolve one in all their largest points which have dogged them over the previous a number of seasons, which was defensive consistency, and discover themselves as sturdy contenders regardless of some followers having worries about goaltending accidents and their new head coach. One optimistic although is a younger ahead poised to raise his sport to a different degree.
Associated: 3 Daring Maple Leafs Predictions for 2024-25
Matthew Knies stood out in a giant method final season and located some confidence offensively. With the dearth of depth on the left-wing heading into the 2024-25 season, Knies might discover a strategy to solidify himself as an elite first-line ahead if he has a robust coaching camp and begins the brand new marketing campaign off properly. Final season, Knies scored 15 objectives and added 20 assists for 35 factors via 80 video games in what was his official rookie season, after taking part in three video games within the 2022-23 season and notching one help.
Knies was drafted within the second spherical of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft at 57th general after a robust exhibiting in america Hockey League (USHL) with the Tri-Metropolis Storm the place he put up 17 objectives and added 25 assists for 42 factors via 44 video games. He selected to hitch the College of Minnesota the next season the place he put up 33 factors in 33 video games.
With confirmed offensive upside, Knies might elevate his sport to a different degree alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, who’ve broadly been thought of two of the strongest all-around gamers within the NHL. With Matthews possible aiming to push for 70 objectives and Marner seeking to elevate his sport in his contract 12 months, Knies finds himself in a unbelievable place to succeed.
Knies Reaching 60-Level Plateau Isn’t Unimaginable
Knies proved he was greater than prepared for the NHL final season, and it’s not out of the realm of risk that he elevates his offensive manufacturing in an excellent larger method this season. If he can proceed to play a robust two-way sport and preserve his place as a first-line ahead, Knies reaching the 60-point plateau isn’t not possible, and he might even push for 70-80 factors if he spends a whole season alongside Matthews and Marner.
Final season, Knies completed seventh in factors amongst rookies with 35 and objectives with 15. As well as, he had 33 factors at even power, which put him third final season behind solely Connor Bedard and Marco Rossi. He has confirmed himself to be a helpful participant at each ends of the ice in any scenario; with Knies gaining some muscle over the summer time, he has set himself up for achievement heading into the brand new marketing campaign.
Calling Knies “elite” this early in his profession could appear to be a attain, however with all the pieces he has going for him, it’s not out of the world to contemplate him a possible famous person within the NHL. Maintaining statistically with two of the league’s greatest rookies in Bedard and Rossi at even power is spectacular in itself, however now he’ll virtually certainly be seeking to turn into a constant producer for the Maple Leafs as they attempt to win a championship earlier than their Stanley Cup window closes.
The Maple Leafs could have plenty of storylines surrounding them this season. From expiring contracts for a number of core gamers, to their goaltending points which have adopted them each season, to their new coach, this might be a make-or-break season for them. In the event that they aren’t capable of finding extra success within the playoffs this season and are eradicated early, they might discover themselves compelled to make some main modifications. Both method, I might financial institution on Knies to grab the chance in entrance of him and discover one other gear at each ends of the ice.
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