Maple Leafs top prospect finally makes decision, informs team if he'll sign or return to College
Moments ago, news broke that the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed their highly anticipated college prospect, Matthew Knies.
Knies, 20 years old, was drafted 57th overall in 2021 by the Leafs. He projects to be able to join the Leafs and make an impact immediately, being a big, physical forward with scoring ability. At 6'3 and 210 pounds with 42 points in 40 games for the University of Minnesota, and garnering a Hobey Baker nomination, he's seen as NHL ready.
Knies will be joining the team off a loss in the NCAA final championship game, and will only have two games of regular season hockey before the Leafs begin what will be an extremely competitive series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Leafs have prepared for Knies arrival for the last two years, so clearly the organization has high projections for what he could bring in the playoffs. With the entire future of the Leafs organization hinging on the decision of the next playoff series, the faith shown in Knies indicates he could be a serious difference maker immediately.
