The name Matthew Knies might not immediately spring to mind in the Calder Trophy discussion, yet he undeniably has a stake in the race.
Is #23 Destined for the Calder?
As a young winger who is likely to spend most of the season close with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, Knies has the potential to become a genuine contender for the prestigious award.
However, the competition is very high-end, with the likes of Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli making their league debuts, and other rookies like Logan Stankoven and Devon Levi ready to make an impact
Nevertheless, when it comes to training, Knies might possess an advantage due to his associations with key figures in the sport.
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Yesterday, Knies was spotted training under the same skills coach who has been instrumental in Auston Matthews' rise to excellence.
Knies' skills coach in Arizona (who has also worked with other Leafs such as Matthews and Lafferty) posted some videos of him yesterday.
His childhood hero Shane Doan has recently taken a job in Toronto, and they have grown very close as well.
Matthew Knies stopped by Shane Doan's house yesterday and gave him a Maple Leafs sweater with the No. 23 on it.
Doan has given Knies significant advice on how to be a good NHLer:
Knies recalls the best advice he ever received from Doan: "Don't be the most skilled player, be the best player."
While it is a steep hill, could Knies, alongside Matthews and Marner, outperform Bedard and Fantilli?
We'll have to wait and see.
As Read on HockeyPatrol - Maple Leafs Calder Favourite Training with World Class Talent
| POLL | ||
5 AOUT | 121 ANSWERS Young Leafs Star Caught Training With High-End Talent Do you think Knies has a shot at the Calder? | ||
| Yes | 92 | 76 % |
| No | 29 | 24 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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