I guess that's one way to try and bring down matthews next contract

There's going to be a lot of people here disappointed/mad at Dubas when Knies doesn't play a single minute of NHL hockey this year. Expecting Knies to come in and produce when he hasn't played an NHL game is crazy. It's just not realistic. Expect to see him at training camp next year, and maybe he starts the year in the top 6 to see what he can do. It won't be now.

I can hear the fire Dubas chants already.

they left a contract spot open for him, he'll play a couple games after his school his done, might not make an impact but he will sign after his season at minny is done

yeah, he'll easily get the ELC burn year just to lock him in and he'll get a ton of time to make an impact in the 3-6 games that are left after the frozen four is over for him. What happens then is up to him really.

Unlikely but not impossible. He'll be given a chance for sure. And if he's not ready then he waits till next year. But he'll get some games. And why not? If he succeeds, awesome! If not, he doesn't play in the playoffs.

its not about contracts or individual stats, I think that should be clear from the Leaf's perspective. Having three actual threatening scoring lines is important in the playoffs

Can't really judge until he plays a game, which I'm sure he will towards the end of the season. If he can't hang then everyone else just bumps up. The left side of the leafs was always going to be the weakpoint of that forward group