The Toronto Maple Leafs have been dealt a blow as promising young forward Matthew Knies has been placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. The move comes just days after the 22-year-old left Wednesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights following a hard hit from defenseman Zach Whitecloud.
Knies Showing Improvement Despite IR Stint
While the loss of Knies is undoubtedly a setback for the Maple Leafs, there is a silver lining. Head coach Craig Berube revealed that the former second-round pick is already showing signs of improvement since the incident. “He’s progressing well,” Berube told reporters on Friday. “Obviously, we’re going to miss him out there, but the most important thing is making sure he fully recovers.”
The decision to place Knies on injured reserve means he will be sidelined for at least one week, including Sunday’s upcoming matchup against the Utah Hockey Club. In 20 appearances this season, the Phoenix native has tallied an impressive 12 points, with eight goals and four assists.
A Closer Look at the Incident
The injury occurred midway through Wednesday’s contest when Knies was on the receiving end of a high hit from Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud. While no penalty was called on the play, the impact left Knies visibly shaken as he struggled to get back to his feet.
“It was a hard hit, for sure,” a team source revealed. “Matthew’s a tough kid, but you could tell he was in some discomfort.”
Knies managed to skate off under his own power but did not return to the game. The Maple Leafs went on to secure a 3-0 victory, but the loss of one of their brightest young stars certainly put a damper on the celebration.
Nylander Called Up as Reinforcement
With Knies out of commission for the foreseeable future, the Maple Leafs have recalled forward Alex Nylander from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. The 26-year-old, who signed a one-year deal with the club on Friday, has been turning heads in the minors this season with 12 points in just 14 games.
Nylander, the younger brother of Maple Leafs star William Nylander, brings a wealth of NHL experience to the table. The former eighth overall pick has suited up for 121 games across stints with the Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Road Ahead for Toronto
As the Maple Leafs prepare for life without Knies, they’ll also be keeping a close eye on the status of veteran defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The 33-year-old, who logs over 21 minutes of ice time per night, missed Friday’s practice due to illness.
In the meantime, the team will look to continue its winning ways and maintain its position among the NHL’s elite. With a deep roster and no shortage of young talent waiting in the wings, the Maple Leafs appear well-equipped to weather this latest storm.
As for Knies, the road to recovery begins now. If his early progress is any indication, Maple Leafs fans can expect to see the budding star back on the ice and making an impact soon. For a team with championship aspirations, his return can’t come soon enough.
