After it appeared that there was optimism that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers would reach an accord on compensation for a sign-and-trade for winger Zach Hyman,
TSN’s Darren Dreger reported on Saturday that the Oilers are likely going to wait and sign Hyman as a free agent on Wednesday to a seven-year term instead of saving some money against the cap by getting the Leafs to sign him to an eight-year max deal and trading him to spread the AAV out over an extra year.
According to Dreger, Toronto placed a higher value on the cap savings that Edmonton would gain with the eighth year in a sign and trade, than Oilers GM Ken Holland was willing to pay in a draft pick, most likely one of two sixth round picks that Edmonton possessed on day 2.
In a flat cap world the next few seasons, being able to shave $400,000 to 500,000 would be invaluable, so the price of a mid-round pick would seem reasonable. Edmonton balking at the price is consistent with their organization’s mismanagement of the cap over the last few seasons on players like Mikko Koskinen, Milan Lucic, James Neal, Kris Russell and Zach Kassian.
If the Leafs were not going to get something worthwhile to help out Edmonton’s cap situation, then why would they do the Oilers any favors.
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On Day #2 of the NHL Draft, the Leafs have three picks; their own in the second, fifth and sixth rounds. Will be providing an update and information on their picks over the next few hours.
2nd round – (#57 overall) – Matthew Knies, LW – Tri City (USHL)
Leafs go for a winger with size with their first pick. Knies is committed to the University of Minnesota (as is Leafs 2020 pick Joe Miller) and has had two excellent seasons of more than 40 points in the USHL.
Elite Prospects says Knies “establishes body positioning drives his value in every dimension of the game. He tries to be first on every puck at all costs, getting his leg in front of his opponent’s, then coming across their body with his hips to seal off the defender. “
The Hockey Prospect Black Book gave the Phoenix, AZ native an A grade and ranked 13th overall on their 2021 Draft Prospect list, calling the 6’3”, 210 lb. winger “a dynamic power forward with one of the most extensive tool kits out of any draft eligible player featured in this class.”
Knies skating is said to be excellent, he scored 24 points (12 goals, 12 assists) in the final 15 games for Tri-City, and he has the size and strength to win puck battles in the defensive zone, as well as possessing the puck in the offensive zone.
Voit is another US product (from the Pittsburgh area) who had a good rookie season as a 16-year-old (8 goals, 20 assists in 49 games), but did not play in 2021 because of the OHL shutdown.
Elite Prospects says Voit “is full of creative, unexpected offensive patterns; he attracts defensive pressure and makes plays through layers. He doesn’t overhandle the puck, opting for give-and-goes and early passes after gaining the zone.”
The 5’9” 150 lb. winger is speedy with an excellent skating stride and high agility according to the HP Black Book.
"His great edge work combined with good vision and spatial awareness allows him to maneuver around defensemen and generate scoring plays. Although Voit is undersized, his skating helps mitigates that concern, as he had no problem generating offence against bigger opponents."
The Leafs now have four developmental goalies in the system in Joseph Woll, Ian Scott, 2020 pick Artur Akhtyamov and Peksa, who is also in the Ak-Bars Kazan system.
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