How Rangers Alexis Lafreniere's contract could affect the Maple Leafs Matthew Knies

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Joshua Deeds
October 28, 2024 (5:30 PM)

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Alexis Lafreniere may have helped set a new benchmark in the NHL for wingers, according to Nick Kypreos.

The Sportsnet anchor thinks that Lafreniere's new deal being signed, could lead the way as far as values go for wingers in the NHL coming off of their RFA deals. As Lafreniere's recently signed contract was a $7.45 Million AAV, a $52.15 million total deal.

Could this lead to a similar deal for Matthew Knies?

Knies only played 1 full season in the NHL last year, on the Toronto Maple Leafs, and with the exit of Tyler Bertuzzi has taken advantage of the absence on the first, line, with William Nylander, and Auston Matthews.

His production last season was anything but expected for a rookie who is still figuring out the league. He scored only 35 points( 15 G, 20 A), which isn't terrible for someone who has just started his sophomore season.

But will he fetch a contract as close to Alexis Lafreniere's AAV?

Matthew Knies may be in line for a significant contract extension, potentially on par with recent mega-signings like Juraj Slafkovsky's eight-year, $60.8 million deal with the Montreal Canadiens and Alexis Lafrenière's seven-year, $7.45 million contract with the New York Rangers. At least, that's what Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos remarked in a recent conversation about a Knies' extension.

Honestly, the Rangers played a wait-and-see approach with Lafreniere, and due to their cap space being tight, have had to work with the winger and watch his development.

It took him 4 seasons to develop into the kind of player they needed him to.

But the Maple Leafs could take a risk and lock Knies in long-term just as long as they ensure they are able to develop him as they should.

However, Kypreos mentioned that if the Leafs were to lockdown Knies long-term the deal would look similar to Alexis Lafreniere's recent contract with the New York Rangers.

Knies, a second-round draft pick, is not Slafkovsky, nor is he Lafreniere. Slafkovsky took a second to find his footing in the NHL, but once he did, he exploded offensively. Meanwhile, Lafreniere has enjoyed several* 30-plus point seasons and has been in the NHL since the 2020-21 season. While Slafkosky's deal might have been a touch high and a tad premature, he's on a point-per-game pace to start the season. He's got an incredible ceiling and he's only getting better. Diddo for Lafreniere.

*Lafreniere has enjoyed multiple 30-point seasons in the NHL. But the point is made, the Leafs may overpay for someone like Knies who won't develop properly in the NHL. Which would be unfortunate,

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Do you think Matthew Knies will fetch a similar deal to Alexis Lafreniere or Juraj Slafkovsky?
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