TORONTO — Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies lets out a sigh as he sinks into his stall following Thursday’s morning skate.
Yes, the proud Phoenix native has caught wind of reports that his beloved Arizona Coyotes could be relocating to Utah as early as next season.
“Not too happy with the situation,” Knies says. “It’s pretty unfortunate. The Coyotes did a lot for me growing up, and I loved going to the games. It was a big reason as to why I got into hockey. But that kind of situation is out of my control. I’m hopeful that they can stay there, because it meant a lot to me, but I guess we’re gonna have to see what happens.”
Knies was on a homecoming high in February, when the Leafs travelled to 5,000-seat Mullett Arena, hosting 50 or 60 family and friends at the game.
Following the trail blazed by teammate and fellow Arizonan Auston Matthews, Knies and boyhood pal Josh Doan represented the blossoming of the NHL’s desert roots.
“When I was growing up, it wasn’t the hockey hotbed Colorado or Chicago or Detroit was. But it was definitely growing, and you could see the potential there,” Knies says.
“The Coyotes were a big part of that, and so it’s definitely gotten a lot better. I know a lot of kids are starting to pick up a hockey stick now, and it’s just really good to see. So, again, hope they can stay there.”
(Taking the optional skate off, Matthews was not available to speak on the topic. Shane Doan, special advisor to the Leafs GM Brad Treliving, was in attendance. A request for Doan to speak was denied.)
Edmundson would’ve pushed through it
Trade deadline addition Joel Edmundson returns to the lineup after missing eight games with a foot injury suffered by blocking a shot in Carolina on March 24.
The giant (six-foot-five) D-man has been skating for a couple weeks now and says he would’ve missed zero games had the Stanley Cup tournament started.
“If it was playoffs, I would have played right through it,” Edmundson said. “It wasn’t that big of an injury. We just wanted to make sure it was 100 per cent before getting back.”
The stay-at-home defender found it frustrating to be sidelined just two weeks into his Leafs tenure but found it easier to watch knowing the club has enough depth to keep the ship afloat.
“Everyone talks about how offensive this team is, but defensively — even the young forwards who are inexperienced — they’re coming back into the zone and they’re playing solid defence,” Edmundson said.
“The top guys are heavy on their sticks, and it’s a hard team to play against in the D-zone. So, that’s been fun to watch.”
McCabe earns a maintenance day
Jake McCabe has taken 181 hits. That’s second-most in the NHL this season. He also ranks among the league’s leaders in hits given, with 194. And he’s blocked 125 shots.
If any Maple Leaf deserves a night off to ease the bumps and bruises, it’s their hardnosed defenceman, who will be leaned on heavily come playoffs.
“Quite honestly, I don’t think he’s played many games at 100 per cent this season,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “Giving him a chance to have a breather is good.”
With Edmundson getting the green light, McCabe has been granted a much-deserved night off against Jersey.
Why Matthews didn’t go cookie hunting in New Jersey
Some wondered (raises hand) why Matthews’ skates didn’t touch the ice late in Tuesday’s 5-2 victory over the Devils once Travis Green pulled his goalie and Toronto had a cushy two-goal lead.
The quicker he hits 70, the sooner he can rest, goes the thinking.
Well, Keefe has taken pride in his superstar’s ability to achieve his goal-scoring heights without reaching outside the team’s game plan or structure.
“I know it got lots of play on whether Auston should have been on the ice with the goalie out and such. He was going to be the next man up. He’s not going to be out there 4-on6. That’s not a situation that he plays in,” Keefe said.
“That, to me, is forcing it. But 6-on-5, he was the next guy up; we just didn’t get the line change that we wanted at the time.”
Matthews needs four goals in four games to become the first NHLer in 31 years to hit 70. Only two of his 66 have been pumped into an empty net.
“It’s pretty remarkable already what he’s accomplished here, right? The number continues to grow,” Keefe said. “He’s playing with a free mind, and you can see it out there.”
One-Timers: Connor Dewar returns to the fourth line; Noah Gregor sits. Ilya Lyubushkin rejoins the blueline after a rest, bumping Conor Timmins out…. Defenceman Timothy Liljegren (upper body) participated in his first morning skate with the club since getting injured on March 26. He’ll be a full participant in Friday’s practice and is hopeful to see game action next week…. Ilya Samsonov vs. Jake Allen is the projected goalie matchup…. The Maple Leafs are just three points behind the Florida Panthers for home ice and hold one game in hand. Tie goes to the Cats.
