Matthew Knies has added a new dimension to his game this season and it’s flying under the radar


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Dec 21, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matthew Knies (23) looks on during the game at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

It’s been quite the season for Matthew Knies and in addition to making some history along the way, is showcasing a brand new facet of his offensive game.

But there’s something new that Knies has brought to the table in 2025-26 and it’s something the team has needed since they lost Mitch Marner.

Matthew Knies: Playmaker extraordinare?

So far this season, Knies has showcased a keener ability to find the open man and has exploded for 38 points with 26 of those coming via assists. It’s a new facet that shows Knies is more than just a hard-hitting scorer, and his vision and offensive awareness is quite underrated.

Knies has 15 primary assists this season, only two away from tying last season’s total and is only four assists away from setting a new career-high with 30. If he can pick up the goal-scoring a bit more, he very well could hit the 70 point mark by the end of the season.

It feels like the sky’s the limit with Matthew Knies

There’s something special about Knies’ style of play and it’s made some history in the process. Since 2005-2006, only three other players have scored 50+ goals, 75+ assists, and 400+ hits in their first 200 career games: Alex Ovechkin, Jamie Benn, and Gabriel Landeskog.

Pretty fantastic company when you really think about it, and to be even in the same breath as Ovechkin; who is continuing to dominate even 20 years later, is nothing short of impressive.

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Matthew Knies has added a new dimension to his game this season and it’s flying under the radar

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