Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan O’Reilly talks things over with his new linemates ahead of their game against the Boston Bruins. SUNRISE, Fla. — Matthew Knies is set to make his NHL debut. The newest Toronto Maple Leafs forward will be in the lineup when the club takes on the Florida Panthers at FLA Live Arena on Monday. Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said the plan was not for Knies to debut on Monday, but injuries to forwards Calle Jarnkrok and Sam Lafferty forced Knies into action. "Something tightened up with him after practice," Keefe said of Lafferty. Jarnkrok has been dealing with an undisclosed injury and is day-to-day. The Maple Leafs signed their second-round draft pick (53rd overall) from 2021 on Sunday, just one day after the 20-year-old's NCAA season came to an end. Knies had 21 goals and 21 assists through 40 games with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers this season. Knies helped Minnesota get to the 2023 Men's Frozen Four National Championship. Knies' collegiate career ended in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday when his Golden Gophers fell to the Quinnipiac Badgers 3-2 in overtime of the Frozen Four championship game. The Phoenix, Arizona native flew back to Minnesota with his teammates before returning to Florida after signing a three-year, entry-level contract with Toronto. With the unexpected injuries, Knies had spent much of Monday going through medical and other standardized testing that was required before being cleared to play. “Maybe that’s tiring for him, but it’s less thinking, less time to worry about things," Keefe said of Knies. "Just go out and have fun. Our mindset here is to give him an opportunity to get comfortable in the league." Knies will wear No. 23 with the Maple Leafs, the same jersey he wore when attending the club's summer development camp in 2022. Related Maple Leafs’ Mark Giordano Voted as Toronto Nominee for 2023 Bill Masterton Trophy [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/maple-leafs-mark-giordano-voted-as-toronto-nominee-for-2023-bill-masterton-trophy] 'It'll Be Fun To See What He's All About': Maple Leafs Teammates Look Forward to Welcoming Matthew Knies [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/itll-be-fun-to-see-what-hes-all-about-maple-leafs-teammates-look-forward-to-welcoming-matthew-knies] Maple Leafs Backup Goaltender Status 'Up In Air' as Matthews Knies Remains Unsigned [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/maple-leafs-backup-goaltender-status-up-in-air-as-matthews-knies-remains-unsigned]
