Rising Maple Leafs star faces his toughest test yet
Briefly

Matthew Knies has signed a new contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, elevating his status and expectations for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. With the departure of Mitch Marner, Knies must fill the gap left by an elite scorer. After a promising start as a rookie, where he scored 15 goals, followed by 29 in his second season, he is now expected to achieve at least 30 goals and 30 assists. The team will also require him to contribute to special teams and maintain a strong two-way game, marking his transition into a core leadership role.
Knies now enters the 2025-2026 season facing a different kind of pressure: the kind that comes with expectations, responsibility and the need to produce.
With great wealth comes great responsibility. The loss of the hundred-point winger Marner heightens the pressure on Knies.
Knies' new six-year deal comes with a $7.75 million AAV. For that money...the minimum expectation heading into the 2025-2026 season is 30-30-60 for goals-assists-points.
Knies will be expected to play both special teams' units and deliver strong two-way hockey.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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