The 20-year-old skated with a number of other NHL prospects at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase.
The 20-year-old skated with a number of other NHL prospects at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase.
Matthew Knies believes that Auston Matthews is the best overall player in the NHL.
On Tuesday, the 20-year-old fielded questions at the NHLPA's Rookie Showcase in Arlington, Virginia and was asked about Matthews and how good his Maple Leafs teammate is.
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"Pretty damn good," Knies told reporters. "He’s not just the best goal scorer in the NHL but he plays defense too. He’s kind of the best overall player [in the NHL] in my eyes."
Following his final season at the University of Minnesota, Knies played 10 games (three in the regular season, seven in the playoffs) with the Maple Leafs and scored five points (one goal, four assists) in that span.
And although the 20-year-old has skated with Matthews before (in Arizona during the summer), this was where he got to see firsthand how good the 25-year-old is.
Knies, being from Arizona, has likely watched Matthews' career blossom ever since he was drafted by Toronto in 2016. The 25-year-old has been the NHL's top goal-scorer with 299 goals in 481 games since entering the league.
Where does Knies fit in the Maple Leafs' lineup next season?
It's fair to say the 20-year-old had an impressive debut with Toronto this past spring. He looked the part in almost every situation he played in, both during the regular season and playoffs.
Deciding where to pencil him in for an entire season, though, is a bit more difficult.
Knies will likely play up and down the Maple Leafs' forward group. Plus, with the additions of Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi (if he plays wing), it'll push the rookie down the lineup.
The 20-year-old has likely already earned the trust of Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe with playoff success, so he probably won't get lost in the shuffle of players. With that being said, I believe he'll start on the left wing of either the second or third line.
One thing everyone needs to prepare for is a bumpy season for the 20-year-old. It's always possible he's consistent throughout the entire year, but coming out of college and dealing with an 82-game schedule can be quite difficult.
Knies could challenge a number of other rookies of the Calder Trophy, though it's always smart to keep expectations low until the 20-year-old impresses over a long period of time.
This isn't to say he won't be an important player for Toronto, because he has already been that. But being in the NHL, practising and playing almost every day is a lot different than it is in college.
With all of that being said, I predict the 20-year-old begins the season either on John Tavares' wing or as the left wing on the third line. Either way, it'll be fascinating to see how Knies handles a full season in the NHL.
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