NHL Free Agent Frenzy: Which Surprise Moves Could Shake Up the Season?
The departure of Mitch Marner, who was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights after signing an eight-year, $96 million contract, made re-signing Knies a must for the Maple Leafs. Knies was in line to become a restricted free agent and could’ve been targeted for an offer sheet by other teams. Toronto made sure that didn’t happen by signing the 22-year-old forward to a six-year, $46.5 million contract ($7.75 million AAV). A budding star, Knies set NHL career highs in goals (29), assists (29), points (58), power-play points (15), game-winning goals (six) and time on ice per game (18:31) in 78 regular-season games last season. He could move into a bigger role with Marner gone and take another step in his emergence as a core player for the Maple Leafs. — Tom Gulitti, senior writer
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