The house lights were dim, a spotlight made Matthew Knies glow and those who remained at Nationwide Arena for the celebration of the Blue Jackets' 6-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 1 roared to life when he was named the game's first star.
Knies, who'd been a Blue Jacket for not quite 77 hours, stepped onto the ice, raised the stick he'd been given and slid it over the glass to a fan. The only thing missing was a record scratch, a freeze-frame and Knies saying, "Yep, that's me ... you're probably wondering how I ended up in this situation."
Well, Knies may be wondering the same thing.
After a becoming the Blue Jackets' centerpiece return in a blockbuster trade with
the Toronto Maple Leafs that just beat the NHL's deadline for opening roster submissions Sept. 28, the 6-foot-3, 232-pound forward is still processing his life's upheaval.
One minute, he was at home in Toronto preparing for his fourth full season with the Maple Leafs, who'd selected him in the 2021 draft's second round (57th overall). The next minute, Blue Jackets president/general manager Don Waddell was on the phone, welcoming him to a new team, city and top line centered by Adam Fantilli.
Knies met with Columbus media by teleconference the next day, hopped on a jet sent by the Blue Jackets and flew to Ohio with defenseman Emil Andrae, who was also acquired in the deal. Upon arrival, they headed straight to Nationwide Arena to meet their new teammates, got a tour of their new home facility and signed autographs at a function for season ticket holders.
"Listen, he’s had a lot thrown at him the last couple of days, so give him credit," Blue Jackets coach Rick Bownesssaid of Knies. "He showed up ready to work and play, and that’s what we’re going to see from him all the time, because that’s how he plays."
Oh, yeah, there was also a hockey game after a Sept. 30 practice.
Knies and Andrae impressed Bowness in their victorious debuts against the Sabres, the defending Atlantic Division champions. Knies finished with three points on two goals and one assist, while Andrae made up for a costly turnover by setting up Knies' second goal with a slick shot/pass.
Knies set a franchise record for goals by a player in his Blue Jackets debut and tied Artemi Panarin for most points in a debut performance. Not bad for a guy being largely overshadowed by former Blue Jackets star Kirill Marchenko, who hasn't scored in two games since signing a six-year contract extension with the Maple Leafs worth $12.5 million a season starting in 2027-28.
“It’s awesome," Blue Jackets defenseman Denton Mateychuk said. "You lose a guy in 'Marchy,' who everybody loved around here, and it’s unfortunate, but you get to bring in a player like [Knies], and he comes in and makes an impact just like that, and he fits in well with our group. It’s really exciting to see what we can do with that throughout the year.”
Knies, who enjoyed the Blue Jackets' traditional blue carpet arrival for their home opener, agreed. Smiling for photos, signing autographs and posing in a black throne made of hockey sticks and the Blue Jackets' crest, Knies is embracing the whirlwind.
“It was super fun just to walk the blue carpet in front of everyone and get to know the city," he said. "It’s pretty cool and I love the passion they have here for hockey. It’s a really fun atmosphere to play in, and I’m excited to play here again.”
That'll happen Oct. 3, when the Blue Jackets host the Utah Mammoth before a five-day window between games that starts with a day off Oct. 4 to relax.
“It’s all different, staying at the hotel and having a different [pregame] meal and stuff," Knies said. "It’s a little different, but I’m getting used to it, and these guys make it pretty easy just to be comfortable and everything. So, not much to worry about, not much to stress about. Just play my game and play hard.”
Record scratch. Unfreeze.
Dispatch Blue Jackets/Crew reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Matthew Knies bursts onto the scene in Columbus Blue Jackets debut
