The Maple Leafs made long-term commitments to Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Is it enough to remake the look and feel of Toronto's defense? Another Maple Leafs player is having a European summer. Matthew Knies joins a list of players, including Max Domi, Bobby McMann, and Calle Jarnrkok, who've travelled to parts of Europe, including Italy, during the offseason. The 21-year-old was seen with University of Minnesota women's hockey player Ella Huber, who posted photos to Instagram. The pair posed for photos in front of the Eiffel Tower, inside and outside of the Colosseum, and in the streets of Italy. Knies has a European background as his parents, Miroslav and Michaela Knies, are from Slovakia. He's also fluent in Slovakian and has spoken to media in that language before. Knies played his first full season with the Maple Leafs this year. Although it might've been difficult at times, the Toronto forward showed that he's ready for the professional stage, especially in the playoffs against the Boston Bruins. In 80 games, the Phoenix, Arizona, native scored 15 goals and 25 assists. Knies also had two goals and one assist for the Maple Leafs in their first-round series against the Bruins while playing in the top six. The forward finished seventh in NHL rookie scoring, 26 points behind the Calder Trophy winner Connor Bedard. He trailed Luke Hughes and Brock Faber — both tied for second in rookie scoring — by 12 points. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqTqcHNg0Rc[/embed] Knies is entering the final year of his entry-level contract which has an annual average value of $925,000. He will be a restricted free agent after the 2024-25 season. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Maple Leafs Prospect Miroslav Holinka Signs WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with Edmonton Oil Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-prospect-miroslav-holinka-signs-whl-scholarship-and-development-agreement-with-edmonton-oil-kings-] Why the Maple Leafs Are Reportedly Bringing Back Kyle Clifford on a One-Year Deal With the Marlies [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/why-the-maple-leafs-are-reportedly-bringing-back-kyle-clifford-on-a-one-year-deal-with-the-marlies] Maple Leafs Star William Nylander Seen Training in Sweden, Makes an Appearance at Local Summer Sports Camp in Stockholm [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-star-william-nylander-seen-training-in-sweden-makes-an-appearance-at-local-summer-sports-camp-in-stockholm] News from THN.com NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest On the Carolina Hurricanes and Winnipeg Jets [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-rumor-roundup-latest-on-the-carolina-hurricanes-and-winnipeg-jets] Collecting Connor: Rising NHL Star Bedard Saw His Hockey Cards Soar In Value [https://thehockeynews.com/news/rising-nhl-star-connor-bedard-saw-his-hockey-cards-soar-in-value-this-season] What's Next Once Hurricanes Winger Martin Necas Gets His New Contract? [https://thehockeynews.com/news/whats-next-once-hurricanes-winger-martin-necas-gets-his-new-contract]
