<p>After weeks of waiting, the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed forward Matthew Knies to a three-year entry-level contract. </p>



<p>Knies is highly regarded as the best prospect in the Maple Leafs’ system. Now, he’s eligible to join the team for the stretch run ahead of the Stanley Cup playoffs.</p>



<p>Knies took home the NCAA’s Big 10 player of the year award and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as the top collegiate player. He was part of one of the most dominant lines in college hockey with Logan Cooley (Arizona Coyotes) and Jimmy Snuggerud (St. Louis Blues). Knies, 20, had a career-high 42 points in 40 games after a 33-point rookie campaign the year prior.</p>



<p>Drafted 57th overall by the Leafs in 2021, Knies stands tall at 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds. The 20-year-old winger can physically dominate and had no issues taking on older competition in the college ranks. Skilled and smart with the puck, Knies was one of the most improved Draft+1 forwards last season and took his game much farther as a sophomore this year.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="179"></div>



<p>Knies has represented USA at various events, including the 2019 World Junior A Challenge, the 2022 Olympics and last summer’s World Junior Championship.</p>



<p>Now, the Leafs will integrate him into the Leafs’ system ahead of an important playoff run for the team. Toronto hasn’t won a series since 2004, but enter as the second seed in the Atlantic Division. They’ll meet Tampa Bay in a rematch of last year that saw the Lightning come from behind to win Game 7 before later advancing to the Stanley Cup final.</p>



<p>Knies could be used in a bottom-six role in the short term while using the playoffs as a chance to get prepared for the pro game. Armed with an ELC, Knies’ low cap hit will make him an inexpensive option in the middle-six next season. </p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="134"></div>
