Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies has made NHL.com's top 10 forwards under 25 list.
The 22-year-old was ranked eighth, ahead of Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis and Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov. Knies is coming off a career season, where he scored 58 points (29 goals and 29 assists) in 78 games with the Maple Leafs.
Ahead of Knies on NHL.com's list of top under-25 forwards were San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini (7), Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard (6), Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield (5), Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston (4), Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy (3), New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes (2), and Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle (1).
Knies is one of the most unique young forwards in the NHL due to his size and physicality. He finished behind only Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson (65 points, 233 hits) for the most points among players with 180+ hits last season. Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk trailed Knies by three points, but had 228 hits.
Drafted in the second round (57th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft, Knies is the lowest draft selection of the 10 players ranked by NHL.com.
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His 182 hits were the third-most among Maple Leafs players last season, only behind Steven Lorentz (199) and Simon Benoit (204). The power forward's 58 points were fifth on Toronto, after John Tavares (74), Auston Matthews (78), William Nylander (84), and Mitch Marner (102).
Knies has 14 points (eight goals and six assists) in 27 playoff games, with half of those points coming earlier this spring against the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers in the first and second rounds.
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The Phoenix, Arizona-born player was set to become a restricted free agent on July 1, but agreed with the Maple Leafs on a six-year, $46.5 million contract just before free agency opened. The annual average value of his contract is $7.75 million, making him the third-highest paid player on Toronto.
(Top photo of Knies: Sam Navarro / Imagn Images)