Maple Leafs commit to winger Matthew Knies' future

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a significant decision regarding winger Matthew Knies. The young player, who is in his second NHL season and will be a restricted free agent soon, wants to stay with the team. As training camp started, Knies shared his hope to continue playing for the Maple Leafs. He had not spoken much about contract talks until recently, but he confirmed his commitment to the team. General Manager Brad Treliving recently rejected trade requests that involved Knies. This was notable as the team was trying to acquire star player Mikko Rantanen. Treliving's comments seem to reassure Knies, who was anxious about the trade deadline. Knies is expected to receive a significant salary increase. Some people believe the team should focus on retaining him rather than other star players like Mitch Marner and John Tavares to avoid losing him to offer sheets. Known for his unique blend of size, skill, and toughness, Knies has had a strong season. He has scored 24 goals and accumulated 44 points in 63 games, defying expectations for a sophomore player.