On Tuesday, Knies will face his former team for the first time when the Blue Jackets host the Maple Leafs\u00a0(Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, 7:30 p.m. ET \/ 4:30 p.m. PT).\u00a0<\/p>\n
Knies came out of the blocks flying in his Blue Jackets debut Oct. 1, posting three points and becoming the first player in franchise history to score multiple goals in his debut game. But since then, Knies has gone quiet offensively with just one assist over his past six games. His active five-game streak without a point is his longest since the 2024-25 season. (He never went more than four games without a point last season.)<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t think it was going to be a quick transition,\u201d Knies told reporters. \u201cIt\u2019s different moving places, moving countries that abruptly and trying to get everything situated. I\u2019m just trying to get settled in. These guys have been helping a lot. I\u2019m looking forward to getting into the middle of the season where I\u2019m fully settled in.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Knies-chart.png\")
<\/p>\n
Knies has not been much of a shot threat this season, firing 14 total attempts over seven games (2.0 per game). The encouraging news is that he is still finding his way to the net front, where he scored 48 of his 67 goals with the Maple Leafs. Both of his goals and 35.7 per cent of his shot attempts have come from the inner slot, well above the NHL average for forwards (27.5 per cent). If that continues, Knies should start scoring more consistently.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness immediately put Knies, 24, with fellow youngsters Adam Fantilli, who turned 22 last week, and Kent Johnson, who turned 24 on Sunday. They have clicked as a line: Columbus has outscored opponents 5-3 at five-on-five.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Much like he did in Toronto with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, Knies has complemented his highly skilled linemates by being hard on pucks. It was on display last week, when Knies pressured Florida Panthers forward Sandis Vilmanis into a turnover that led to a Johnson goal.<\/p>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Knies-action.gif\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cPlaying against him was a little bit of a nightmare,\u201d Fantilli told reporters. \u201cHe was a moose in college. In the NHL, he\u2019s been a stud, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Knies, Fantilli and Johnson had boasted a strong territorial advantage before a rough night against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, when they generated only 15.6 per cent of the expected goals at even strength. For the season, Columbus\u2019 top line has a 49.9 xGF%. (Before Sunday, the Knies-Fantilli-Johnson line had a 62.7 xGF% at five-on-five.)<\/p>\n
Bowness leans heavily on his three top forwards to generate offence, which has been a struggle for the Blue Jackets this season. Their 2.53 expected goals per game rank 27th in the league. Bowness, never one to bite his tongue, has not held back from criticizing his team\u2019s performance so far this season, telling reporters last week that he is \u201ctoo old to be a babysitter\u201d after a 7-3 loss to the Panthers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they\u2019re not embarrassed by (the loss to the Panthers), we don\u2019t want them on the team,\u201d Bowness told reporters. \u201cIt\u2019s as simple as that.\u201d (Columbus responded by splitting back-to-back games over the weekend.)<\/p>\n
Knies almost certainly does not miss that aspect of playing for the Maple Leafs, but there are sure to be some emotions when he battles his former teammates Tuesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Blue Jackets are happy to have Knies on their side.\u00a0<\/p>\n