Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies has been ice cold recently, and is getting heat for his lack of production for the first time in his young career.
However, December has not been kind to the towering power forward, as he only has four points in his last 11 games and a minus-five rating. Even the physicality has dropped off a bit in recent games with only six hits in his last four games.
Where is the world is Matthew Knies?
So it begs the question? Where has Matthew Knies gone?
While the jokes on social media are fun to chuckle at no doubt, it’s concerning that Knies has been unable to recapture his early season form.
Granted, the team as a whole has not been good over the last month but Knies has always been a player who can at least bring some hope. While they may not win, his heart and determination lead to goals and he never gives up.
Tuesday against Pittsburgh, he played on the third line and recorded an assist but only had 12:07 TOI. That would make it the lowest time he’s played since the 2023-24 season (not including the 9:38 played last year but was injured; full games).
Don’t sweat it, things will work out Knies-ly
To be fair, Knies did just sign a huge contract extension and could be feeling pressure to perform and may be doing too much. Taking a step back and doing what he does best; hitting, shooting, and being a gritty down low presence will lead him back on the road to success.
He’s no doubt a focal point of the team’s offense and will continue to be the older the rest of the team gets. People forget, he’s still only 23 years old. There’s a lot of room for him to grow and he’s going to have his slumps and rough patches.
One of the NHL’s most unique players, you have to trust Knies is going to break out of this sooner than later. He had a point on Tuesday which is more than he could say for his last five games prior, and maybe that’ll be enough to turn the corner for him.
So don’t worry about Matthew Knies just yet, and perhaps start to worry about others who are expected to do even more and have done seemingly less; like Auston Matthews.
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Matthew Knies faces real adversity for the first time in his Maple Leafs tenure
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