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Source “Many prepping a Mathew Kenies Offer Sheet.” Lets talk about it… |
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There is no question that the stock of Mathew Knies is going through the roof. The player I have nicknamed “The American Braydan Point” continues to not only tear it up in the playoffs, but to look more and more like he has superstar potential.
Knies is a restricted free agent this summer, and if any team, but Toronto, wants a shot at him, they will have to work up a substantial offer sheet. My source tells me that he’s talked to at least five teams who are strongly considering this, and a few who have actually started the process from their end. Of course no one is allowed to contact Knies’ agent at this point because that would be tampering. They are, of course, allowed to discuss this internally and even prepare for it as an option. I learned not too long ago from a GM that putting together an offer sheet is actually extremely expensive for the team making the offer. There are legal fees and staff, and bringing in his family and himself to see the area, as they try to convince the player to come. And after all that most offer sheets are matched and there is no return on their investment.
Many believe this going to come down to the Leafs and if want to retain Marner, a UFA, or Kneis. One agent, I talked to speculated it would probably be smarter to try and sign Marner as soon as possible, and if Knies accepts his offer sheet it would probably be somewhere in the range of three first round draft picks coming back to the Leafs. If they were to sign Knies to an extension they would get to keep him, but would in all likelihood not have enough to keepMarner… so they would end up withKnies, but they would get no compensation for Marner.
Also, it probably doesn’t help that earlier in the season at the trade deadline the asked Marner to waive his no trade clause. I don’t think Mitch was too pleased about that at all. Trust has been broken to a degree.
My source can’t think of any way Toronto would be able to keep both at this point.
In my opinion, it’s possible that both could take a less if they really want to stay. What could also be a factor is were Toronto to win a Stanley Cup… this might be enough to want to keep the band together. I’ve seen it happen before where a player is expected to leave the team as a free agent, but stays for less after the team wins a Cup….
I’ve also seen it go the way were a player’s value rises so high, because he’s been seen by everyone playing a high level in the playoffs, the offers in the summer become just too much to refuse.
It’s really a credit to Toronto and their drafting/development skills. Now their management skills are really going to be tested.
What do you think?
Lets talk about it.
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