Knies won't join Maple Leafs yet, will return to Minnesota next season

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Matthew Knies has informed the club that he will return to the NCAA next season, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

"Minnesota and coach (Bob) Motzko have a great program, so we know he will continue to develop as he has," Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas said, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun. Dubas added that his team's pitch wasn't too aggressive because the option to go back to Minnesota "was a great one."

The 19-year-old just wrapped up his freshman year with Minnesota, which lost in the semifinals of the Frozen Four. He managed 15 goals and 18 assists in 33 games during the regular season.

Knies’ advisor Matt Federico said that Toronto has no reason to be concerned about his future with the organization, Friedman added.

The Maple Leafs selected Knies with the 57th pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. He also represented the U.S. at the Olympics and the world juniors this year.