Matthew Knies has gone 11 games without a goal, with just one assist in his last 10 appearances for the Columbus Blue Jackets. NHL News shared the numbers on X, and fans had plenty to say about the 24-year-old winger’s recent form.
“Matthew Knies with 0 goals in his last 11 games. Just 1 assist in his last 10. #CBJ”
Some fans believe Knies is struggling because Columbus doesn’t have the right players around him. One questioned the decision to bring him to the Blue Jackets in the first place.
“It looked like a bad trade for Knies and Columbus from the beginning. Knies isn’t a play driver, and needs a quality one to play his game. Columbus just isn’t a good fit for Knies.”
There was also interest in seeing him move elsewhere. A fan even brought up the Ottawa Senators as a possible destination.
“What would it take to get Knies to Ottawa”
Not everyone has forgotten how well Knies started his Columbus career. He scored twice and added an assist in a 6-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 1. One fan pointed to the difference between that performance and what he has shown since.
“Kinda funny given the reaction to his 1st game. Love the guy, but he’s not playing with the same level of talent”
Another fan felt the conversation around Knies had already changed considerably.
“We’re going from the ‘he’s still adjusting to his new team’ stage to the ‘maybe we completely misjudged this guy’ stage.”
One supporter had a much simpler suggestion for Columbus.
“If they don’t like it they can send him to Boston”
Matthew Knies’ underlying numbers offer some encouragement for Blue Jackets
Despite the scoring drought, Matthew Knies hasn’t completely disappeared from the areas where he does his best work. Adam Vingan of Sportsnet noted that the winger continues to get to the net front, where he has scored 48 of his 67 career NHL goals. He has also taken 35.7% of his shots from the inner slot.
His line with Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson has outscored opponents 5-3 at five-on-five, suggesting the trio has still managed to produce some results despite Knies’ lack of individual points.
Knies recorded 23 goals and 66 points with Toronto last season. He was selected 57th overall by the Maple Leafs in 2021 after two seasons at the University of Minnesota.
He is now playing under a six-year, $46.5 million contract with an annual cap hit of $7.75 million through 2030-31. Only Fantilli, whose cap hit is $13.75 million, carries a higher figure among Columbus forwards.
Coach Rick Bowness was confident in what Knies could bring when he arrived in Columbus.
“There’s more to this kid, and we’re going to get it out of him,” Bowness said.
The Blue Jackets host Colorado on Tuesday, giving Matthew Knies another opportunity to end his scoring drought.
Edited by Sonali Verma
