The Toronto Maple Leafs, led by Auston Matthews enter the new NHL season with one of their most significant roster changes in recent years. The departure of Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights left both a leadership and scoring gap, forcing the team to look inward for answers. At the center of that transition is 22-year-old Matthew Knies, a player the organization believes is ready for the challenge.

Knies, fresh off a career-best 58-point campaign, is coming off a postseason run where his physical play and scoring touch drew praise from teammates and fans alike. With his six-year contract extension signed in July, Toronto has made it clear they view him as a cornerstone of their future. The pressure, however, is undeniable — especially in a market as demanding as Toronto.

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