April 15, 2025 | 2:31pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

KNIES, LEAFS STAYING THE COURSE IN CONTRACT TALKS

Matthew Knies, forward

The Toronto Maple Leafs would like to get forward Matthew Knies locked up to a new contract, and the rising star would like to jot his name down on an extension, as well. But neither side seems overly concerned a new deal hasn’t been ironed out to this point.

Knies, 22, is eligible to become a restricted free agent July 1. It seems unlikely, though possible, the two sides get to July without a new deal in place.

The Leafs, however, would like to get him signed to a longer termed contract, in the six-to-eight-year range, while it seems as if Knies and his camp have been looking for a three-to-five-year agreement.

Negotiations have been on and off all season and Leafs GM Brad Treliving remains confident a deal will be finalized in due course.

With the regular-season set to end on Thursday and the playoffs scheduled to begin on Saturday – though the Leafs are expected to begin their playoff campaign Sunday – the focus appears to be on the post-season and a contract for Knies, and possibly veteran star John Tavares, is more likely to occur after Toronto’s season comes to a close.

With two games remaining on the regular-season, Knies has accumulated 29 goals and 26 assists for 55 points in 76 games, to date.