Speaking to reporters during the Leafs’ locker cleanout on Tuesday, Knies was asked about his pending contract status.
The 22-year-old made his intentions quite clear, even when asked about the idea of signing an offer sheet.
“I want to be here,” Knies said. “I want to play here. That’s all that matters to me.”
The Leafs’ second-round pick from the 2021 NHL Draft is a pending restricted free agent after career-highs in goals (29) and points (59) this season, finishing right behind the “Core Four” forwards on the Leafs.
Knies is one of many players the Leafs will be hoping to have under contract next season but it’s unclear whether he will be signing a short- or long-term deal.
In the last edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman made it clear that since Knies has established himself as a crucial core player, the Leafs will want to make it a long-term deal.
“They could have traded Matthew Knies for Rantanen this year. They didn’t, so they obviously think he’s going to be a big part of their future and we’ll see how those contract talks go. If you think someone is a core piece, you sign them for as long as you can because the price will never go down. And I think they will do that with Knies,” Friedman said.
If Knies isn’t considering signing an offer sheet, the Leafs will have some time before having to put pen to paper on a deal.
The key balancing act the Leafs will need to figure out is whether both John Tavares and Mitch Marner will be returning next season.
Knies has a strong connection with the former Leafs captain who invited the young forward to stay with him during his first few years with the team.
He admits that it would be tough to not have Tavares around if he were to leave in free agency.
“He’s kinda the first person I think of when I see that logo,” Knies said. “He took me in when I was a kid.”