NHL Reporter Makes Bonkers Prediction About the Value of Matthew Knies' Next Contract

Matthew Knies has been one of the most impressive and most consistent players on the Toronto Maple Leafs this season and the fans love him.

He has 25 goals and 45 points in 65 games and he is up for a new contract in the summer that is going to break the bank for the Leafs front office.

They also have to pay guys like Mitch Marner and John Tavares, but with the salary cap going up, they should be able to afford all of these guys, even if they command huge salaries.

Conventional wisdom has suggested that the Knies deal will likely cost the Maple Leafs between $7 and $8 million per year which is around what John Tavares will likely be paid.

However, NHL reporter Jason Bukala believes the cost is going to be a whole lot more than that especially when you consider the forward's potential.

A $9 million deal feels unreal for a guy like Knies but it makes sense when you consider how an offer sheet is a real possibility in all of this.

If the Maple Leafs were to keep a guy like Matthew Knies, they would be guaranteed some solid production for years to come.

However, one concern is going to be whether or not he is completely dependent on having Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews on his line. We see with Zach Hyman that his production is mostly contingent on Connor McDavid, which isn't great.

Either way, Knies is someone worth keeping around and it will be fascinating to see what the team will do next.