It’s all new experiences these days for Knies. He’s had to grow up in a hurry for the Leafs, spending most of his rookie season, almost by necessity, on the left wing of Auston Matthews’ line. Tough stuff for just about any player, tougher still for a 21-year-old who jumped straight from college, skipping past the AHL entirely, into the NHL.
It’s gone about as expected.
Some ups, including a two-goal, three-point October outing in Tampa. Some lows too, including a recent (and very brief) stint on the fourth line following a stretch that saw him struggling to put up points and looking worn down.
“We’re seeing a young player that’s adjusting to the league,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said.
At this time last season, he was still a Golden Gopher, still going to class at the University of Minnesota, still months away from earning an NHL paycheque.