The NHL Network released a top-25 list of players born in or after 2000, led by Rasmus Dahlin and including Matthew Knies at No. 25. Knies secured late representation for the Toronto Maple Leafs but remains less proven than higher-ranked young playdrivers and offensive creators such as Quinton Byfield and Seth Jarvis. Several peers could either overachieve or underachieve relative to expectations, illustrating the uncertain trajectories of young players. Limited exposure and playing alongside elite teammates may obscure Knies's individual impact. The 2025-26 season opener on Oct. 8 versus Montreal offers a chance to change perceptions.
Despite us falling in love with him as soon as he stepped on the ice wearing the Blue and White, Knies has still yet to really prove himself to be in a category as some of the strong playdrivers and offensive creators like Quinton Byfield and Seth Jarvis, who are deservedly higher on this ranking. This is, of course, the feelings right now.
On Monday, the NHL Network unveiled their ranking of the top 25 players who were born in this century. While some of the best players in the NHL were indeed, born on or after the year 2000, the Leafs got their representation in under the wire On the list led by Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin at the very tippy top, Knies comes in at No. 25.
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