May 26, 2025 | 1:51pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

MAPLE LEAFS & KNIES RESTART CONTRACT TALKS

Matthew Knies, forward

The Toronto Maple Leafs did not waste much time after their season ended to resume contract negotiations with rising star forward Matthew Knies.

On Sunday, Leafs GM Brad Treliving and MLSE CEO & President Keith Pelley began discussions over the team’s off-season plan and those conversations are expected to continue Monday.

One key item atop Treliving’s priority list is getting Knies locked up to a new deal, and contract discussions are back underway after a brief pause towards the later part of the season.

As TFP’s David Pagnotta reported on Sportsnet The Fan 590 in Toronto on Friday, Knies is believed to be looking for a contract in the three-to-five-year range and will likely see his average annual value climb over the $7 million mark.

With $25.7 million in salary cap space going into the 2025-26 campaign, the Leafs have enough space to get Knies locked up and fill voids in their top-six.

The Leafs have already re-engaged in contract talks with forward John Tavares on a short-term deal and there appears to be a pathway to a deal, much like there is with Knies.

Treliving is expected to reconnect with Mitch Marner and his representatives this week to understand whether he is dead set on testing the free agent market July 1 or if he is open to negotiations in the coming weeks.

Knies, 22, is coming off his entry-level contract after putting up 29 goals and 29 assists for 58 points in 78 games with the Leafs this season.