Matthew Knies' Equipment Possibilities For The 2025-26 NHL Season

As the 2025-26 NHL season draws closer, one player to keep an eye on from an equipment perspective is Matthew Knies. The 22-year-old power winger is coming off a breakout campaign that firmly established him as a core piece of the Maple Leafs' future. With 58 points in 78 games last season and an additional 7 points in 13 playoff games, Knies proved that he can deliver under pressure and contribute consistently at the NHL level. That performance earned him a lucrative six-year contract extension worth $7.75 million annually, locking him in as a long-term centerpiece in hockey’s most scrutinized market.

But beyond his growing reputation as a star on the rise, Knies has quietly become a player of interest in the hockey equipment world. His gear preferences, once locked in, might now appear to be more fluid, opening the door for possible changes that could shape both his on-ice identity and the marketing direction of major equipment brands.

For years, Knies was a loyal CCM user, often showing the JetSpeed line of sticks, FT6 Pro skates, gloves, and helmets throughout his college career at the University of Minnesota and into his first NHL season. But in August 2024, that consistency showed its first signs of change. At an offseason skate in Muskoka, Ontario, Knies was spotted in Bauer Vapor HyperLite 2 skates, replacing his go-to CCM JetSpeed FT6 Pros. The shift came as a surprise to many equipment watchers, especially considering Knies stuck with Bauer skates into the regular season and through the entire 2024-25 campaign.

That singular switch instantly sparked speculation. Would Knies begin a full transition to Bauer equipment? Would he eventually change out gloves, sticks, or even his helmet? Those questions lingered throughout the season, but ultimately, his skates were the only piece of gear to change. Knies continued to use CCM gloves, helmets, and sticks, leaving open the possibility that the skate switch was simply a matter of personal comfort rather than the first domino in a brand allegiance shift.

Now, with a new contract, greater visibility, and star power on the rise, the possibility of expanded equipment changes for Knies in 2025-26 is more intriguing than ever. Toronto is the biggest hockey market in the world, and Knies is certainly one of their most exciting young players. He’s exactly the kind of athlete equipment brands dream of aligning with. Marketable, skilled, and featured regularly in front of large audiences.

With July moving along and training camp just around the corner, many are watching closely to see what Knies shows up wearing at informal skates and media days. Will Bauer capitalize on the skate switch and bring him into a full brand deal? Could he turn the tables again, and switch back to CCM skates? What if a third party like Warrior or True jump into the mix?

The fact that Knies hasn’t been seen skating publicly this offseason only heightens the anticipation. Equipment enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the first glimpse of his 2025 summer setup. While there’s no concrete evidence of a full switch yet, players have been known to test gear behind closed doors or make abrupt changes once training camp begins.

Regardless of how it unfolds, Matthew Knies is firmly on the radar, not just as a future NHL star, but as one of the most valuable gear influencers in the game today. Whether he sticks with his current setup or goes all-in on a new brand, his decisions will be watched closely by fans, players, and equipment companies alike. The Leafs may have their man locked in for six years, but the equipment world is still waiting to see how that part of the story unfolds. 

Photo Credit: Icon Sportswire