Auston Matthews sees Matthew Knies ready to “elevate” as Toronto Maple Leafs open preseason vs Canadiens
Image accompanying the official NHL announcement.Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews says Matthew Knies “hasn’t even scratched the surface” of his potential as the 23-year-old forward enters his fourth full NHL season.
Knies said he is fully recovered from the knee injury that affected much of the 2025-26 season. NHL.com said the injury began with a setback in November that sidelined him for three games, and although he needed ongoing treatment and time off during practices, he did not miss another game after returning Nov. 26. “Yeah I’m back to 100%, no issues with it and it’s not going to be a problem this year,” Knies said.
Despite the injury, Knies had a career-high 66 points in 79 games, with 23 goals and 43 assists. He said he wants to keep improving all areas of his game while remaining reliable defensively and helping create offence.
Knies has skated at left wing with Matthews at centre and Jack Roslovic at right wing through the first two days of camp, and the three are expected to play together when Toronto hosts the Montreal Canadiens in its split-squad pre-season opener at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. Coach Jim Hiller told NHL.com, “I really want to let that line play tomorrow night.”
Roslovic highlighted Knies’ strength, net-front disruption and two-way play. Matthews said Knies is difficult to contain and a key part of the line’s work around the crease while also having the skill to make plays.
NHL.com said Knies was the subject of trade rumours before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline and again around the 2026 NHL Draft. He is entering the second season of a six-year, $46.5 million contract signed July 1, 2025, and told NHL.com: “I want to be here.”
Reporting source: NHL official update