In a recent interview, Bruce Boudreau compared Matthew Knies to a current NHL star.
As Boudreau compared Knies to Matt Boldy, it gives some insight into who Knies could be offensively. Last year, Boldy posted 31 goals and 63 points in 81 games. He has plenty of offensive capability and is currently the 2nd or 3rd best forward for the Minnesota Wild behind only Kirill Kaprizov and possibly Mats Zuccarello.
If Knies can develop into a player as offensively gifted as Boldy, the Leafs certainly got a steal.
Last year at the University of Minnesota, he scored 21 goals and 42 points in 40 games with the Golden Gophers.
Knies also finished as a Hobey Baker award finalist alongside 2022 3rd overall pick Logan Cooley and 2023 3rd overall pick Adam Fantilli.
Unlike the two third-overall picks, Knies was the 57th pick but was also a Sophomore and not a freshman. However, for Knies to be in the same conversation as those two is quite promising for the Maple Leafs.
As seen on Maple Leafs Daily -
Former coach identifies an exciting NHL comparable for Leafs winger Matthew Knies
POLL | ||
JUILLET 18 | 1214 ANSWERS Bruce Boudreau's Comparison for Matthew Knies Should Have Fans Very Excited What do you think Matthew Knies' upside is? | ||
20 goal/40 point upside | 428 | 35.3 % |
30 goal/60 point upside | 551 | 45.4 % |
40 goal/80 point upside | 159 | 13.1 % |
Other | 76 | 6.3 % |
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