Colorado Avalanche Stun NHL with $20M Signing of Matthew Knies from Maple Leafs
Denver, CO – In a jaw-dropping turn of events that has sent shockwaves throughout the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche have officially signed Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies in a blockbuster $20 million deal, finalizing a move that reshapes the league’s power dynamics and signals a new era for the Avalanche.
The 22-year-old phenom, widely considered one of the brightest young stars in the game, will make the move to Colorado on a four-year contract worth $20 million, sources close to the deal have confirmed. The move marks the first major transaction of the offseason and gives the Avalanche a powerful new weapon in their bid to return to Stanley Cup glory.
Knies, who just completed a breakout 2024–25 season with the Maple Leafs, registered 29 goals and 29 assists across 78 games, establishing himself as a top-line force and an elite two-way forward. His physicality, hockey IQ, and clutch scoring drew interest from multiple franchises, but it was Colorado who ultimately landed his signature.
“Matthew brings everything we want in a Colorado Avalanche player — skill, grit, intelligence, and the ability to step up in the biggest moments,” said Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland. “This is a massive step forward for our team. We believe he can help lead us to another championship.”
While Knies was a restricted free agent, Toronto was widely expected to retain him long-term. However, the Avalanche submitted an aggressive offer sheet that the Leafs ultimately chose not to match, citing salary cap constraints and upcoming contract extensions for several core players. The deal includes a $5 million annual cap hit and performance-based bonuses, making it one of the most lucrative deals ever given to a player with less than three full NHL seasons under his belt.
Toronto fans were quick to express disappointment, with social media ablaze over the decision to let Knies walk. Leafs GM Brad Treliving addressed the move during a press conference Thursday morning.
“This was a difficult situation,” Treliving said. “Matthew is a tremendous talent and a great person. But given our cap realities and the structure of Colorado’s offer, we had to make a tough call in the long-term interest of the team.”
For Knies, the move represents a massive leap both financially and competitively. He now joins a loaded Avalanche roster headlined by superstars Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen. Colorado, who fell short in the 2025 playoffs after an injury-plagued campaign, now gains a young, durable forward who can contribute immediately across all situations.
“I’m beyond excited to join the Avalanche,” Knies said in a brief statement. “They’re an elite organization with a championship mindset, and I can’t wait to get started in Denver.”
As the NHL landscape shifts, one thing is clear — the Avalanche aren’t just planning for the future; they’re charging toward it at full speed. With Knies now in burgundy and blue, Colorado just became even scarier for the rest of the league.
