Leafs re-sign Matthew Knies to six-year contract with $7.75 million AAV

The Toronto Maple Leafs have re-signed winger Matthew Knies to a six-year contract with a $7.75 million cap hit.

Knies was set to become a restricted free agent on July 1st, as his entry-level contract had come to a conclusion. He wasn’t eligible for arbitration, but the Leafs were still running the risk of Knies signing an offer sheet with another team. By agreeing to this new deal, both parties avoid that.

There are currently no details regarding any signing bonuses, no-move/no-trade clauses or what the salary breakdown of the contract is.

With Knies’ only NHL contract being his entry-level deal, this new pact will earn him the most money per year of his career, and gives him a raise of nearly $7 million per year. He’ll be tied for the 54th largest cap hit among forwards, with his closest comparables being Sean Couturier, Elias Lindholm, Jason Robertson and Andrei Svechnikov.

Knies has seen a consistent progression in his game so far in his NHL career, starting as an excellent complimentary winger to the Leafs top six before breaking out in 2024-25 and becoming a true top six player. Last season saw him finish with 29 goals and 29 assists for 58 points in 78 games.

The Leafs have gotten a few things done this weekend, as along with Knies new contract, they also re-signed John Tavares to a four-year extension. Toronto also moved on from Brendan Shanahan as president of the team, opting to not fill the position for the upcoming season.

The Leafs currently have 10 unrestricted free agents and 10 restricted free agents entering July 1st, highlighted by Mitch Marner and Max Pacioretty. They currently have around $13.5 million in salary cap space to re-sign any of those players, although it doesn’t appear that Marner will be returning to the club.