Matthew Knies had had enough.
The months of trade speculation had become tiresome, so Knies welcomed the change of scenery Columbus offered.
“I think it was kind of getting old (in Toronto) with all those rumours and stuff, so I’m just glad that’s put to bed,” Knies told reporters last month, after being traded for Kirill Marchenko as part of a six-player deal.
On Tuesday, Knies will face his former team for the first time when the Blue Jackets host the Maple Leafs (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT).
Knies came out of the blocks flying in his Blue Jackets debut Oct. 1, posting three points and becoming the first player in franchise history to score multiple goals in his debut game. But since then, Knies has gone quiet offensively with just one assist over his past six games. His active five-game streak without a point is his longest since the 2024-25 season. (He never went more than four games without a point last season.)
“I didn’t think it was going to be a quick transition,” Knies told reporters. “It’s different moving places, moving countries that abruptly and trying to get everything situated. I’m just trying to get settled in. These guys have been helping a lot. I’m looking forward to getting into the middle of the season where I’m fully settled in.”
Knies has not been much of a shot threat this season, firing 14 total attempts over seven games (2.0 per game). The encouraging news is that he is still finding his way to the net front, where he scored 48 of his 67 goals with the Maple Leafs. Both of his goals and 35.7 per cent of his shot attempts have come from the inner slot, well above the NHL average for forwards (27.5 per cent). If that continues, Knies should start scoring more consistently.
Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness immediately put Knies, 24, with fellow youngsters Adam Fantilli, who turned 22 last week, and Kent Johnson, who turned 24 on Sunday. They have clicked as a line: Columbus has outscored opponents 5-3 at five-on-five.
Much like he did in Toronto with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, Knies has complemented his highly skilled linemates by being hard on pucks. It was on display last week, when Knies pressured Florida Panthers forward Sandis Vilmanis into a turnover that led to a Johnson goal.
“Playing against him was a little bit of a nightmare,” Fantilli told reporters. “He was a moose in college. In the NHL, he’s been a stud, too.”
Knies, Fantilli and Johnson had boasted a strong territorial advantage before a rough night against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, when they generated only 15.6 per cent of the expected goals at even strength. For the season, Columbus’ top line has a 49.9 xGF%. (Before Sunday, the Knies-Fantilli-Johnson line had a 62.7 xGF% at five-on-five.)
Bowness leans heavily on his three top forwards to generate offence, which has been a struggle for the Blue Jackets this season. Their 2.53 expected goals per game rank 27th in the league. Bowness, never one to bite his tongue, has not held back from criticizing his team’s performance so far this season, telling reporters last week that he is “too old to be a babysitter” after a 7-3 loss to the Panthers.
“If they’re not embarrassed by (the loss to the Panthers), we don’t want them on the team,” Bowness told reporters. “It’s as simple as that.” (Columbus responded by splitting back-to-back games over the weekend.)
Although Bowness has ratcheted up the pressure on the Blue Jackets, it pales in comparison to the daily pressure Knies previously experienced. Back in Toronto, Marchenko was beginning to feel the heat before his hat trick last week, even though he had gotten off to an impressive start.
Knies almost certainly does not miss that aspect of playing for the Maple Leafs, but there are sure to be some emotions when he battles his former teammates Tuesday.
The Blue Jackets are happy to have Knies on their side.
“There’s more to this kid, and we’re going to get it out of him,” Bowness told reporters, after Knies joined the team. “He’s going to keep getting better and better. He’s a big part of our youth group that’s going to help this team get to the next level.”
