TORONTO — Matthew Knies arrived at Maple Leafs camp with a healed knee, a heavier role in view and an early look beside Auston Matthews and Jack Roslovic. For a player already entrusted with prime minutes, the next step is not simply chasing a bigger point total. It is becoming the kind of winger who can tilt a shift at either end of the ice.
Knies, 23, is opening his fourth complete NHL season after posting 66 points on 23 goals and 43 assists across 79 games last year. Those were personal bests in overall production, achieved while he dealt with a knee issue that began in November. He missed three games, then returned Nov. 26 and did not sit out again, though the injury required regular treatment and lighter practice workloads through much of the season.
After a summer devoted to recovery, Knies said the knee has fully cleared up and will not be a concern this season. That is significant for Toronto, particularly after his scoring slipped from a career-best 29 goals in 78 games in 2024-25 to 23 last season. The reduced explosiveness following the injury was part of that decline.
Matthews has seen the work Knies put in while playing through the discomfort, and the captain believes there remains a great deal untapped in his linemate’s game. He described Knies as a player who puts the club first, prepares himself without making excuses and competes every night. Matthews also sees Knies growing into more of a leadership presence now that he has several NHL seasons behind him.
Matthews, Knies and Roslovic get preseason audition
Toronto has used Knies at left wing with Matthews in the middle and Roslovic on the right during the first two days of camp. That group is scheduled to stay together when the Maple Leafs host the Montreal Canadiens in a split-squad preseason game Saturday at Scotiabank Arena. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, with TSN2, RDSI and TSN4 carrying the game.
Coach Jim Hiller said he intends to give the unit a real look against Montreal and singled it out as the line he will be watching most closely. Matthews and Roslovic already know each other from their time with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program between 2013 and 2015, while Matthews and Knies have built considerable chemistry over Knies’ first three NHL campaigns.
Knies said the early work with Roslovic has clicked. He pointed to Roslovic’s quick release and ability to attack with speed, and hopes the trio can build some preseason traction before the games begin to count.
Roslovic likes what Knies brings to the middle of the rink and around the crease: strength on the puck, a disruptive net-front game, puck retrievals and the willingness to track back into the defensive zone. In Roslovic’s view, Knies can control play in ways distinct from Matthews, while still supplying finishing touch and playmaking ability.
For Knies, the objective is broader than setting a target such as 30 goals or 75 to 80 points. He wants to sharpen every part of his game, become dependable without the puck and create enough offense to make life easier for his linemates. His view is that individual production follows when the team is winning.
Matthews believes the physical tools are already there for Knies to become a dominant player. He cited Knies’ strength in low-zone battles, his ability to protect pucks and his value in front of the opposing net, where defensemen have difficulty containing him. With improved speed, hands, shooting and playmaking all in the package, Knies figures to be a central piece of whatever Toronto’s top line becomes.
There has also been outside noise around his future. Knies was mentioned in trade speculation before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline and again near the 2026 NHL Draft, despite entering Year 2 of the six-year, $46.5 million contract he signed July 1, 2025. The deal carries a $7.75 million average annual value.
The Phoenix native said general manager John Chayka has made clear that the organization values him. Knies’ own preference is just as clear: he wants to remain a Maple Leaf and continue wearing blue and white for years to come. Saturday’s exhibition opener will offer the first small test of how the next chapter of that plan might look.
