Matthew Knies joins group of ex-Leafs off to hot starts with new teams: ‘I’m absolutely loving it’ - Toronto Star
Two goals for Knies, two for Nick Robertson and a big night from Joseph Woll. Former Maple Leafs made strong first impressions on their new teams.
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Matthew Knies celebrates his goal against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.
Matthew Knies was so nervous for his Columbus Blue Jackets debut that he fell during warm-ups. But the former Maple Leaf didn’t show it during the game as he made history to start the NHL season in his new home.
The 23-year-old scored twice and had an assist in his debut Thursday night, becoming the first Columbus player to do so in helping defeat the Buffalo Sabres 6-3 for the team’s first season-opening victory in five years.
Knies also tied the franchise record for points in a debut, matching Artemi Panarin’s three-point performance in 2017.
MATTHEW KNIES' FIRST AS A BLUE JACKET!! 💥 pic.twitter.com/cuo2JmGzUJ
“I’m absolutely loving it,” Knies told a rinkside reporter about being in Columbus. “It’s some of the best fans, and it’s been incredible. These guys are awesome.”
Knies was traded on Monday from Toronto to Columbus as part of a blockbuster deal that saw the Maple Leafs acquire right-winger Kirill Marchenko on the eve of the 2026-27 NHL season.
Knies is LOVIN' it! pic.twitter.com/6RQrPHoWSI
Also part of the trade, Columbus received defenceman Emil Andrae, depth forward Steven Lorentz and a 2027 second-round pick the Leafs acquired from Seattle in the Bobby McMann deal.
Andrae, who was acquired by the Leafs in a prior trade that sent Joseph Woll to Philadelphia before being moved to the Blue Jackets, assisted on Knies’ second goal.
Knies previously said he wanted to remain a Leaf for life and had five years left on his contract worth $46.5 million (U.S.), signed in June 2025. “Hopefully it’s going to be a long time before I give up this jersey,” Knies told the Star early in camp.
Matthew Knies...AGAIN!?!? 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/cY8V5g1Hhl
The left-winger was drafted 57th overall in the second round in 2021. He played in 240 regular season games, tallying 67 goals and 93 assists while with the Leafs.
He wasn’t the only ex-Leaf to have a big first game with his new team.
Forward Nick Robertson, who was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins this summer in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in 2028, scored two goals in the Penguins’ 7-0 opening win against the Flyers on Wednesday.
Joseph Woll got juuuuuuuuust enough of the puck to stop a sure goal! 🙅♂️ pic.twitter.com/QHum1EZ2BU
And after spending 10 years in the Leafs organization before being traded this summer, goaltender Joseph Woll made some jaw-dropping saves in his first appearance with the Flyers on Thursday. Woll saved 41 of the 44 shots he faced, despite the Flyers losing 3-2 in overtime to the New Jersey Devils.
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Libaan Osman is a Toronto-based general assignment reporter for the Star's city team. Reach him via email: losman@thestar.ca.
