October 22, 2024 | 3:40pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
KNIES, MAPLE LEAFS NOT YET CLOSE TO EXTENSION
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Matthew Knies, forward
The Toronto Maple Leafs started contract discussions with forward Matthews Knies during the off-season and while those talks carried into training camp, the two sides do not appear to be close to an extension.
Knies, who turned 22 last week, is in the final year of his three-year, entry-level contract and is eligible to become a restricted free agent next summer.
In 80 games with the Maple Leafs last season, Knies registered 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points in his rookie campaign. He has two goals and one assist for three points in six games with the Leafs so far this season.
It is unclear as to the type of contract Knies is looking for, whether his camp would rather a short-term bridge contract or a long-term agreement, but the initial belief is the Maple Leafs preferred, at the start of talks, to explore a long-term deal.
For those wondering..
— Nick Alberga (@thegoldenmuzzy) October 22, 2024
Status quo on contract talks between Matthew Knies and the Maple Leafs.
I’m told his camp is in no rush to get a deal done.
For my money, I wouldn’t be surprised if this is ironed out after the season.
The average annual value of Knies’ next deal will be determined by the length of his contract, as a short-term deal could see his salary hover around $4 million, if he continues to produce on the ice, and that figure will only increase with extra years added on.
The Maple Leafs have just over $26.283 million in space under next season’s salary cap, based on this season’s $88 million ceiling, but that figure could increase by as much as $4.5 million if the 2025-26 cap reaches the projected mark of $92.5 million.
In addition to Knies, however, veterans Mitch Marner, John Tavares and Jake McCabe are among those also in need of new contracts in Toronto.