Matthew Knies and the Next Bauer Domino in Toronto

Toronto Maple Leafs’ forward Matthew Knies continues to establish himself as one of the organization’s most important young pieces on the ice.

Known for his powerful frame, strong puck protection, and ability to make an impact in high-traffic areas, Knies has quickly earned the trust of the coaching staff and fan base alike.

But beyond his on-ice development, another storyline has quietly gained traction over the past several months within the hockey equipment world. That being his evolving relationship with Bauer gear.

The last time we checked in on Knies from an equipment standpoint, the conversation centered on speculation. At the time, there was growing buzz around whether the Leafs’ rising star might be transitioning away from his longtime CCM setup and toward becoming a more official Bauer user.

Fast forward to today, and that speculation appears to be turning into reality, at least in one major category.

Saturday night’s game against the New York Islanders marked Knies’ fifth consecutive game using what appears to be a Bauer Pulse hockey stick. At that point, it becomes difficult to call it a coincidence or a short-term test.

In the equipment world, five straight games is often a threshold where experimentation turns into genuine comfort. It is now safe to say that the next Bauer domino has fallen.

Interestingly, this entire storyline began well over a year ago, when Knies made a move that caught many by surprise. During that stretch, he quietly switched his skates from CCM to Bauer’s Vapor HyperLite 2 model.

That decision immediately set off alarms within the hockey equipment community. Skate changes can sometimes become the first sign of a deeper brand transition. This especially for high-profile players, and fans quickly began wondering how long it might be before Bauer sticks, gloves, or helmets followed.

However, after that initial switch, nothing else materialized right away. Knies finished the remainder of the 2024–25 season without adding any additional Bauer equipment. For a while, it seemed as though the skate change might have been a standalone decision rather than the beginning of a broader shift.

Earlier this season, though, those alarms were sounded once again. Knies was seen using that Bauer Pulse looking stick during several Maple Leafs’ practices. Practice usage often serves as a testing ground for NHL players, allowing them to dial in flex profiles, blade patterns, and overall feel without the pressure of game action.

Even then, patience was required, as it would be a few more weeks before the Bauer sticks became game official.

That moment finally arrived just after Christmas, during Toronto’s home game against the Ottawa Senators. Knies officially put the Bauer sticks into game action, and he has not looked back since.

Now having five games in a row with the Pulse, the discussion has shifted from whether he would commit to the stick to what might come next.

Naturally, the discussion has picked up again. Could Bauer gloves, pants, or even a helmet be the next addition to Knies’ setup?

It is entirely possible, but it is also very realistic that this stick change is where the experimentation ends. NHL players are extremely particular with their equipment, and a stick switch alone does not guarantee a full brand transition.

There is even the possibility that Knies could return to CCM sticks as soon as Toronto’s next game.

Still, the context makes this situation especially intriguing. Teammate Auston Matthews’ return to Bauer equipment this season adds another layer to the story. Bauer has a strong presence in the Maple Leafs’ locker room, and with roughly half the season still remaining, there is plenty of time for Knies to explore other categories if he chooses.

For now, we’d expect Matthew Knies’ equipment journey to be far from finished. Whether this remains a stick and skates only experiment or becomes the start of a full Bauer transition, equipment enthusiasts will continue to watch closely.

Photo Credit: Mark Blinch