The Toronto Maple Leafs are gearing up for a new season, but the atmosphere around the team has shifted dramatically following Mitch Marner’s highly publicized departure.

In the midst of this change, forward Matthew Knies has stepped into the spotlight, not just for his on-ice potential but for his surprisingly candid reflections on Marner’s exit. As Knies embarks on his own journey with the Leafs, his recent comments during the NHL media tour have sparked curiosity and speculation among fans and insiders alike.

Knies didn’t shy away from sharing his feelings about seeing Marner in a different jersey, admitting to a sense of awkwardness and even learning a tough lesson about the business side of hockey.

Yet, beneath the surface, there’s much more to Knies’ story—his evolving role on the team, his ambitions for the upcoming season, and his perspective on the pressure that comes with playing in Toronto.

While some might expect tension or resentment, Knies’ response has left many wondering about the true dynamics within the Leafs’ locker room and what the future holds for the franchise.

What does Knies really think about Marner’s departure, and how will it affect the team moving forward? The answers may surprise you.

Matthew Knies celebrates scoring against the Ottawa Senators

Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers Imagn Images

Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies has been taking part in the NHL’s media tour ahead of training camp, where he revealed how he feels about Mitch Marner’s departure.

When Matthew Knies re-upped with the Leafs for another six years, part of his media availability was spent discussing the departure of former linemate Mitch Marner.

Knies admitted during his initial comments that it wasn’t easy to see Marner leave, but he wasn’t losing sleep over it after seeing the additions that GM Brad Treliving had made.

While replacing the 28-year-old is more of a “by committee” approach, Knies is also expected to take on a larger role, and the 22-year-old Arizona native did hint that he wanted William Nylander to join him on the Leafs’ top line.

Matthew Knies Opens Up About Seeing Mitch Marner In a Different Jersey

In speaking with The Athletic’s Joshua Kloke, Knies shared that seeing Marner in a different jersey is ‘really weird’, but that it taught him an important lesson about the NHL.

“It feels really weird, to be honest. It’s hard to picture him in a different jersey… I realized that at this level it’s more of a business and you’ve got to do what’s best for yourself and your family. I hope he did that. I hope he enjoys himself and still has a lot of success because I think he meant a lot to our team and obviously me. It just feels awkward.”

Unlike Marner, who blamed the pressure from Leafs Nation as the reason for his departure, Knies is looking forward to using it as fuel to help him take his game to the next level.

“I think it’s honestly so much fun that there’s so many people so invested in our group. I’d be upset with fans if they weren’t happy with my game if I wasn’t playing well. I want that feeling that I’m playing for the whole city,” Knies said. “Idon’t really look at it as something that can tear me down. It’s something that is going to make me better.”

Coming off of a 29-goal, 58-point sophomore campaign, Knies spent the summer in Minnesota training and appears set to grab hold of the opportunity ahead of him — hoping to lead the Leafs, along with Matthews, Nylander and John Tavares, on the team’s deepest post-season run since 2002.