Knies (undisclosed) won't finish Thursday's Game 2 versus the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

Knies struggled to the bench after a shift in the first period, and he was ruled out for the remainder of the game at the start of the second. He logged one hit in 5:33 of ice time Thursday. An update on his status should be available before Sunday's Game 3.

Knies scored a goal on two shots in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to Florida.

EDGE Analysis

Knies' first NHL goal was an impressive one, grabbing a feed in the slot before spinning around Sergei Bobrovsky and burying a backhander to get the Leafs on the board in the second period. Knies, a second-round pick in 2021, signed with the Leafs late in the regular season following his NCAA career with the University of Minnesota. He was immediately put in a top-line role alongside Auston Matthews and William Nylander. The move appears to be paying dividends thus far -- Knies has a goal and three assists through six postseason contests.

Knies picked up an assist on the game-winning goal Saturday in a 2-1 overtime victory over Tampa Bay in Game 6.

EDGE Analysis

Once again, Knies acquitted himself like a veteran in the game and was instrumental in setting up the series-clinching goal. He controlled the puck behind the net and maintained possession before getting it to John Tavares, who circled the net. Knies once again got the puck and popped it back to the captain, who skated out, wheeled around a fired a shot that ricocheted off a Bolts player's skate and in. The young man is big, strong and fast, and that's a great combination in Toronto's top-six.

Knies picked up an assist in 19:15 of ice time in a 4-3 overtime win over the Lightning in Game 3.

EDGE Analysis

The kid hasn't been overwhelmed in making the jump from the NCAA to the NHL playoffs. In fact, Knies may have been the best Leaf on the ice Saturday. His speed and strength were on display on every shift, and he spent most of the game on the top lines. Remember Knies' name next draft -- he could vie for the Calder trophy next season, especially if he gets a permanent gig in the top six. And that's even with Connor Bedard headed to the NHL. Look at what a top-six role did for Michael Bunting as a rookie.

Knies signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Maple Leafs on Sunday,Darren Dreger of TSN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Knies wrapped up an impressive sophomore campaign at the University of Minnesota, tallying 21 goals and 42 points through 40 appearances. In his two collegiate seasons, he scored 36 goals and 75 points. The 20-year-old will likely join Toronto for its postseason run.

Knies will return to the University of Minnesota for the 2022-23 campaign, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Knies was a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft after developing in the USHL. The 19-year-old forward tallied 15 goals and 33 points through 33 games this season and helped lead the Golden Gophers to the Frozen Four semi-finals. He could sign his entry-level deal after next season.

Knies was drafted 57th overall by the Maple Leafs at the 2021 NHL Draft on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Not sure if you heard, but the Leafs took a young forward from Arizona once upon a time and it worked out for them. They are going back to the same well with Knies. Knies had a lousy season in his second year in the USHL (42 points in 44 games) and it is scary to think where he might have been if his production didn't increase over the final month of the year. Knies is a massive kid (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) with a better than average offensive skill set, but he's limited to the wing and has difficulty creating offense on his own. He needs to line up alongside a talented center who can feed him the puck. There's clear and obvious risk here, but Toronto is in position to roll the dice on a player like Knies.