In an organization often criticized for not producing its own stars, Matthew Knies has quietly emerged as one of the Maple Leafs’ most promising home-grown forwards, and it is more than just his stats. At 6′3″ and 227 lbs, the Phoenix-born winger combines size, skill, and scoring instinct in a way that feels built for today’s NHL, and the Leafs clearly agree. In July 2025, Toronto locked him into a six-year, $46.5 million extension ($7.75 million average annual value). That was after he posted career highs of 29 goals and 29 assists for 58 points in 78 games during the 2024-25 season.

From the USHL to the NCAA to the NHL

Knies' development path was straightforward, but far from easy. Drafted 57th overall by Toronto in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, his most notable growth came at the Universi

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