Breaking NHL Signing: Maple Leafs Get Extension Done With Matthew Knies

The Toronto Maple Leafs can breathe easy... There'll be no offer sheets coming for Matthew Knies, as he has signed a six-year, $46.5 million extension to stay in Toronto, with an AAV of $7.75 million.

Matthew Knies extension with #LeafsForever: 6 years x $7.75 million.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 29, 2025

Many feel that getting Knies locked in for that long at under $8 million is a terrific deal for the Buds. This follows the very team-friendly deal ($4.38M AAV) they signed John Tavares for just a few days ago.

Incredible job by the Leafs here. Great healthy contract for Knies. Love him not dragging it out and putting the team in a tough spot. Promising few days and pumped to see where Knies can bring it. He could be a force. #LeafsForever https://t.co/QivayapuSW
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) June 29, 2025

Insider Darren Dreger reports that significant progress on the contract was made yesterday after several hours of intense discussions.

Knies had a breakout season in 2024-25, nearly doubling his goal total to 29, and adding 29 assists for 58 points, while handing out 182 hits.

JJ Peterka, a similarly talented pending RFA forward who was just traded to the Utah Mammoth, was signed for five years with a $7.7 million AAV just last week, making a great comp for the Leafs and Knies to work with. Toronto gave their 22-year-old power forward a few more dollars and got an extra year.

The Leafs now have $13.57 million remaining in cap space.