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Sandman · 06-09-2021, 05:28 AM

C/LW Matthew Knies,6'3"205lbs (Tri-City,USHL): 44gp/17g/25a/42pts,24PIM. Scouts were very disappointed in his production this year, especially considering that he had 45pts in 44 games last year, 4th highest point total of all under-18 players-ahead of Coronato and Pastujov. He was supposed to be among the best players coming out of the USHL this year, and a potential first-round pick, but something is missing this year. He is not driving the play this year like he did last year- for a good portion of the year, he was relying on teammates to do the work, and get him the puck. Could have something to do with some of the talent he had playing with him last year leaving over the summer, but scouts aren't sure. He was starting to get it together near the end of the year-he had 20pts in his first 30 games, then had 11 goals/20pts over his last 11 games. Scored 4pts in 3 playoff games, to lead the team.

Knies is a very strong skater, with good balance and a long, powerful stride. His first 3 steps are quick, and generate great speed. He can separate from opponents in open ice, and his skating makes him very hard to defend and contain. His edges and pivots are like those of smaller players. He sees and reads the attack zone well, and has outstanding creativity and vision. Heads-up and very intelligent, he can execute smart passes at high speeds, and can handle passes through traffic in-flight. Consistently gets the puck to high-danger. Drives the net, and when his feet are moving, he's hard to stop. Knies is also a great puckhandler with high-pace-protects the puck well, and makes high-end moves in tight spaces. Though he is a pass-first playmaker, he has a hard, accurate shot, with a quick release. Knies will go to high-traffic places and fight for the puck-he's good in corners and along the boards, and uses his size and strength to win battles. He is also good on draws, and effective in transition.

Scouts were hard on his defensive game this season, but he was really putting together a good 200ft game in the last portion of the year, with an aggressive defensive game. He was showing his ability to force turnovers, and apply pressure to attackers. He can force opponents away from high-danger, and was playing them to the boards, and winning pucks. Knies often tries to do too much, resulting in mistakes and turnovers. He's also a risk-taker, which more often than not has a positive result, but sometimes he takes unnecessary risks that result in mistakes that he can't recover from. Another problem for him is his consistency-he wasn't the same player in the beginning of the year, as he was in the middle of the year, and late in the season. Knies is considered fairly safe, as he has the speed and size to potentially play in an NHL bottom-6, but he has the potential to play higher, with his skill and vision. He'll be picked in the 2nd/3rd round, but I like this kid very much, despite his struggles early on this year.

06-09-2021, 05:28 AM	#977
Sandman Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Calgary Exp:	C/LW Matthew Knies,6'3"205lbs (Tri-City,USHL): 44gp/17g/25a/42pts,24PIM. Scouts were very disappointed in his production this year, especially considering that he had 45pts in 44 games last year, 4th highest point total of all under-18 players-ahead of Coronato and Pastujov. He was supposed to be among the best players coming out of the USHL this year, and a potential first-round pick, but something is missing this year. He is not driving the play this year like he did last year- for a good portion of the year, he was relying on teammates to do the work, and get him the puck. Could have something to do with some of the talent he had playing with him last year leaving over the summer, but scouts aren't sure. He was starting to get it together near the end of the year-he had 20pts in his first 30 games, then had 11 goals/20pts over his last 11 games. Scored 4pts in 3 playoff games, to lead the team. Knies is a very strong skater, with good balance and a long, powerful stride. His first 3 steps are quick, and generate great speed. He can separate from opponents in open ice, and his skating makes him very hard to defend and contain. His edges and pivots are like those of smaller players. He sees and reads the attack zone well, and has outstanding creativity and vision. Heads-up and very intelligent, he can execute smart passes at high speeds, and can handle passes through traffic in-flight. Consistently gets the puck to high-danger. Drives the net, and when his feet are moving, he's hard to stop. Knies is also a great puckhandler with high-pace-protects the puck well, and makes high-end moves in tight spaces. Though he is a pass-first playmaker, he has a hard, accurate shot, with a quick release. Knies will go to high-traffic places and fight for the puck-he's good in corners and along the boards, and uses his size and strength to win battles. He is also good on draws, and effective in transition. Scouts were hard on his defensive game this season, but he was really putting together a good 200ft game in the last portion of the year, with an aggressive defensive game. He was showing his ability to force turnovers, and apply pressure to attackers. He can force opponents away from high-danger, and was playing them to the boards, and winning pucks. Knies often tries to do too much, resulting in mistakes and turnovers. He's also a risk-taker, which more often than not has a positive result, but sometimes he takes unnecessary risks that result in mistakes that he can't recover from. Another problem for him is his consistency-he wasn't the same player in the beginning of the year, as he was in the middle of the year, and late in the season. Knies is considered fairly safe, as he has the speed and size to potentially play in an NHL bottom-6, but he has the potential to play higher, with his skill and vision. He'll be picked in the 2nd/3rd round, but I like this kid very much, despite his struggles early on this year. Last edited by Sandman; 06-09-2021 at 06:29 AM.