Only one player in the past 10-15 years or so has successfully jumped from the NCAA to the NHL and had an impact immediately. Knies is not in the Makar tier.

But what if.

Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. But let me explain 1 thing to you.

If Denis Malgin can produce on the Avs on the top line with great players then why can't Knies have a similar impact playing with Matthews/Tavares? Knies is young and hungry. He plays with jam and he is a physical presence on the ice. He is NHL ready physically theres no doubt about it.

I hope this comment comes back to bite you when Knies comes in and he lights it up .

Why can't Wayne Simmonds? or Alex Kerfoot? or any of the dozens of others guys the Leafs have tried there over the past few seasons?

Difference is those guys dont have the skill. They dont have those tools.

Malgin has the tools to be a skilled player. So does Knies.