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Insider Leaks the Toronto Maple Leafs' Offer to Matthew Knies
Photo credit: Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies is currently in the midst of negotiating a new contract with general manager Brad Treliving, and it's going nowhere.
Matthew Knies is a player that the Toronto Maple Leafs would love to have on the roster for a very long time. He had 29 goals in his sophomore season, and he has lots of room to grow.
However, the team finds itself in a conundrum as he is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1st. Once that happens, the forward can sign an offer sheet and force the Leafs' hand.
General manager Brad Treliving has been negotiating a new deal with Knies, but it has been reported that both sides are far apart right now.
Matthew Knies vs. Brad Treliving
According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, things are getting especially dicey right now. This is because the Leafs want to sign Knies long-term, while the forward only wants a bridge deal.
Knies wants 3-5 years on his deal, which the Leafs are happy to oblige. However, the Leafs will only do that if the forward signs for $5 million per season. Meanwhile, Knies wants $7 million.
"One side believes a deal is far off, while the other does not share that same viewpoint."
Pagnotta noted that the two sides are trying to find middle ground on term, with Knies preferring a 3-5 year deal and the Leafs aiming to go longer, but that the real sticking point is the yearly salary.
"The primary discrepancy appears to lie in the financial commitment, as the Leafs are believed to be looking in the $4 million to $5 million range, whereas Knies wants to be in the neighborhood of $7 million per season, depending on term."
Pagnotta noted that the two sides are trying to find middle ground on term, with Knies preferring a 3-5 year deal and the Leafs aiming to go longer, but that the real sticking point is the yearly salary.
"The primary discrepancy appears to lie in the financial commitment, as the Leafs are believed to be looking in the $4 million to $5 million range, whereas Knies wants to be in the neighborhood of $7 million per season, depending on term."
This is yet another example of a young Leafs talent wanting their cake and eating it too. At the end of the day, Leafs fans must be fed up with this kind of stuff.
Treliving is going to be in tough over the coming days, and we are not envious of the position he is in right now. It is going to be a tough one.
This is paired with the stress of the John Tavares deal and the Mitch Marner situation, which could go into the middle of July.
Hopefully, all of this can get figured out before the vultures start circling on Canada Day.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 23 | 466 ANSWERS Insider Leaks the Toronto Maple Leafs' Offer to Matthew Knies Do you believe the Toronto Maple Leafs will give in to Matthew Knies' demands? | ||
| YES | 377 | 80.9 % |
| NO | 89 | 19.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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