The Toronto Maple Leafs may have some tough decisions to make this offseason, but re-signing Matthew Knies doesn’t appear to be one of them. According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on the latest “32 Thoughts” podcast, the Leafs and Knies are already on the same page when it comes to his next contract.
With preliminary talks having taken place around the trade deadline, Toronto reportedly has a clear idea of what the deal will look like — a promising sign for fans hoping to see the young winger locked in long term.
Matthew Knies Contract Talks Looking Smooth as Maple Leafs Push for Long-Term Deal
As mentioned, talks began around the NHL trade deadline, and now it’s just about finalizing the details, which are mostly centered on contract length rather than money.
Toronto is reportedly pushing for a longer-term deal, while Knies and his camp are leaning toward a shorter bridge deal, likely in the three- to five-year range. AFP Analytics has projected that a short-term deal could come in at around $4.2 million annually over two years.
If Toronto gets its way and signs Knies to a long-term deal, the cost could rise to around $7.25 million annually over seven years. A final agreement may land somewhere in between, possibly a five- or six-year contract with a strong average annual value.
🚨 Matthew Knies is believed to be targeting a contract in the 3-to-5-year range, with an average annual value expected to exceed $7 million. With $25.7 million in projected cap space for the 2025-26 season, the Maple Leafs have the flexibility to get Knies signed and address…
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) May 26, 2025
Knies is coming off a breakout season that gave the Maple Leafs even more reason to lock him up. At just 22 years old, he played a consistent top-line role alongside Auston Matthews and finished with 58 points (29 goals and 29 assists) in 78 games.
Knies wasn’t just an offensive force. He also brought physicality, delivering 182 hits — the second most among Toronto forwards.
While some teams might have seen Knies as a potential offer sheet target this summer — especially since he doesn’t have arbitration rights — it now seems unlikely that he’ll hit the market at all.
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With Mitch Marner likely to test free agency and the future of John Tavares still unclear, the Leafs now have better cap clarity and appear ready to prioritize Knies’ extension before July 1, when he officially becomes a restricted free agent.
All signs point to a deal getting done soon. And if it’s long term, the Leafs could be locking up one of their most promising young wingers for years to come.
