Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies has played a key role in the team’s success throughout both the regular and postseason, but is he more of a priority signing for the team this offseason over the Leafs’ other star and alternate captain, Mitch Marner? A former NHL player and current Barstool Sports’ podcast host sure thinks so.
Paul Bissonnette’s Hot Take on Which Maple Leafs Star To Keep
During a recent episode of “Spittin’ Chiclets,” co-host Paul Bissonnette had a strong opinion on which player he believes the Maple Leafs should prioritize re-signing after this season, between their star left wing and right wing, Knies and Marner, respectively. In speaking with his other co-host and former NHLer Ryan Whitney, Bissonnette had this to say:
“That was one of the nicest goals I’ve ever seen, Yeah, he was shooting lightning bolts out of his a**. … And you said it, the fact that he was able to fake a backhand, go forehand, and go top cheese … is absolutely bananas,” Bissonnette said.
“He is just as much, if not more of a priority to re-sign than Mitch Marner, and at this point, I would say more of a priority, just because his game transfers more over to playoff hockey.”
Fiery takes are something the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast crew are used to having, especially when discussing Bissonnette’s hometown team, the Maple Leafs. Bissonnette and Company are often referred to as “the Rumor Boys” when stirring the pot on a variety of NHL league and player topics.
The Maple Leafs Face a Tough Decision This Summer
While the 22-year-old Knies put together a strong 2024-25 regular season for the Maple Leafs, scoring 29 goals with 29 assists, it doesn’t quite measure up to Marner’s 27 goals and 75 assists, making him the only player on the team this year with more than 100 points. Marner is only 27, and his 100-point season marks his fourth consecutive year with 85 or more points, making him one of the more valuable assets in the league.
Marner has been with the Maple Leafs since he entered the league in 2016. He’s in the final year of a six-year, $65.4 million contract he signed back in 2019, putting his average annual value (AAV) at $10.9 million. His deal is set to expire July 1, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The issue the Maple Leafs face would be whether or not to re-sign a player like Marner, whose AAV is only the fourth highest on the team this season, or look toward a younger player like Knies.
Knies had his strongest NHL regular season thus far in his young career, totaling 58 points, and has been a bright spot this postseason, netting three goals in four games against the Ottawa Senators. He’s also in the last year of a three-year contract signed in 2023, worth $2.775 million, with an AAV of $925,000, and is set to become a restricted free agent this summer.
The Leafs could prioritize a potential young rising star like Knies, and likely for a lot less than the contract they would be facing with Marner, but that is an issue they will face after the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Leafs’ problem isn’t Marner, it’s the system and the supporting cast not rising when it matters. Let’s not rewrite the narrative based on a few games.
Great insight John. Not sure if I agree with Paul on prioritizing Knies but this is why we watch!!