Maple Leafs’ Matthew Knies: Zach Hyman-Like Power Forward

Matthew Knies is a 19-year-old, 6-foot-3, and 210-pound, power forward the Maple Leafs chose with the 57th pick overall of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. After several years of picking good, highly-talented smaller players in the mid-range of the draft, last year the Maple Leafs went big. 

Given how Knies has progressed since his choice far down in the draft, it’s tough to see how the Maple Leafs “lucked out on him” with such a low draft choice. The answer is that Knies had a down-and-an-up season in the USHL the season before the 2021 draft. He had been quite ill with COVID-19; and, it took time to recover. As a result, he didn’t have the time to put up big numbers before the draft.

Knies day for some hockey ? pic.twitter.com/Uqoz8FTO6W

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 21, 2022

So there he was hiding in the weeds. Obviously, the Maple Leafs took a chance on a relatively small “n” (number of games he actually was able to play). When he did play, Knies was overpowering. He won physical battles along the boards. He beat defenders to pucks in the corners. And, he was next to impossible to knock off the puck.

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If You’re a Maple Leafs Fan, Who Does that Sound Like?

Knies has shown himself to be a skilled puck handler who sees the ice well. He’s also a good passer, shows creativity with the puck, and has a strong wrist shot. His shot can beat goalies from medium-range scoring areas; however, he also isn’t afraid to bump around in front of the opposition’s goalie.

Given Knies’ ability to win puck battles in the “small spaces” on the walls and in the corners, he sort of sounds like former Maple Leafs’ player Zach Hyman. Hyman had a strong career with the Maple Leafs and he went on to have a strong 2021-22 season (and postseason) with the Edmonton Oilers. After the big duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Hyman was about as irreplacable as anyone on the Oilers’ team.

Should Knies continue to progress as he has, is there a chance he could surpass Hyman as a player? He might. Knies is bigger and stronger; and, many who watch hockey believe he’s more skilled and possesses a better shot. Right now, Hyman’s a faster and better skater, but skating is something the Maple Leafs’ player development team can help him develop.

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Knies Is Gaining Experience and Maturity in His Game

Hyman is an elite forechecker, and Knies isn’t there yet. He would have to gain skating speed and more on-ice smarts before he would be able to approach Hyman’s ability in that aspect of the game. However, the experience that Knies is gaining will help him grow into a more fully-rounded player.

This past season Knies played at the University of Minnesota, where he helped them go to the Frozen Four NCAA championship as a freshman. The season allowed him to play against bigger and stronger players. During the 2021-22 season, Knies scored 15 goals and added 18 assists (for 33 points) in his 33 NCAA games.

His plan is to return for another season to help his Golden Gophers teammates try to win the NCAA championship. Knies has noted that he believes he needs one more collegiate season as a way to “mature” his game. 

Knies also gained experience and confidence on the international stage and was able to play with Team USA’s Olympic squad last winter. Early last season, he attended the World Junior Summer Showcase, where he played on both special teams units, won puck battles, showed off his shot, and set up shop in front of the net regularly.

Over the past week, he’s been a standout at the Maple Leafs’ development camp; and, according to the organization’s new Assistant General Manager Hayley Wickenheiser, Knies has shown lots of ability. So far he has shown the tools and the work ethic so needed for NHL success.

A question the Maple Leafs have to be asking is, in Knies, might they have found a young Hyman clone. If they have, he’ll certainly be less expensive for the next seven years. Even if he’s “only” sort of like Michael Bunting, that would be good as well.

The Plan for Knies Return to the Maple Leafs

The plan is that Knies will return to the team when his NCAA season is over. Obviously, he’s got a lot to learn. However, he has the size and skills of a power forward with some of the same traits as Hyman (and for that matter Bunting). as a puck digger. He’s someone the team could use.

It will be interesting to see where Knies will fit into the team when he returns.

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