Life with the Columbus Blue Jackets has gotten off to a very agreeable start for winger Matthew Knies. Traded earlier in the week from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Knies scored on a power play in the first period of his opening game against the Buffalo Sabres and he added a second goal when he tipped in a shot in the second period.
Knies was the centerpiece for the Blue Jackets in a huge trade just before the start of the 2026-27 season that saw the Leafs get star winger Kirill Marchenko, forward Miles Wood and goaltender Elvis Merzlinkins. The Blue Jackets also received defenseman Emil Andrae and veteran forward Steven Lorentz as well as a second-round draft pick.
While Marchenko has a chance to be a game-changing player for the Leafs, Knies is clearly a first-line winger and he has shown he can find the back of the net.
The 23-year-old Knies brings size, strength and skill to Columbus. He checks in at 6-3 and 227 pounds. He has an excellent wrist shot and he can go to the front of the net to collect rebounds and score on tip-ins.
Knies became a legitimate first-line player when he scored 29 goals and 29 assists in 2024-25 and he followed up last year with 23 goals and 43 assists for a career-best 66 points.
His first goal with the Blue Jackets came on a quick release from the slot as Columbus enjoyed a power play against the Buffalo Sabres.
He second goal was tip-in that showed off his ability to be in the right place at the right time.