Penguins Nearly Selected Matthew Knies in 2021 Draft
The Pittsburgh Penguins missed out on forward Matthew Knies after Toronto picked him one spot ahead in 2021.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Hockey
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In the 2021 NHL Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins intended to select Matthew Knies with the 58th overall pick. However, the Toronto Maple Leafs chose him with the 57th pick, forcing Pittsburgh to select Tristan Broz instead.
Why it matters
The draft day reversal impacted the trajectories of both franchises, as Knies went on to score 29 goals and record 66 points during the 2024-25 NHL season. The missed opportunity highlights the razor-thin margins that define talent acquisition in the league.
Matthew Knies recorded 66 points in the 2024-25 season, while the player Pittsburgh selected, Tristan Broz, recorded 78 points in 108 games for their AHL affiliate and played 11 minutes and 30 seconds in his NHL debut.
The players
Matthew Knies
He is a professional hockey forward who currently plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Pittsburgh Penguins
They are a professional NHL franchise based in Pennsylvania that competes in the Metropolitan Division.
Toronto Maple Leafs
They are a professional NHL franchise based in Ontario that competes in the Atlantic Division.
Brian Burke
He is a former NHL executive who served in various high-level management roles for several professional hockey clubs.
Tristan Broz
He is a professional hockey player who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins and has played for their minor league affiliate.
The details
Former executive Brian Burke confirmed that the Penguins organization had explicitly planned to draft Knies if he remained available at their 58th position. Instead, the team pivoted to Tristan Broz, who has since played for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Timeline
The NHL Draft occurred in 2021.
Matthew Knies scored 29 goals during the 2024-25 season.
Matthew Knies joined the Columbus Blue Jackets in late September 2026.
Season Trajectory
Drafting decisions made during events like the 2021 NHL Draft shape long-term roster construction and competitive balance for years. This retrospective look at Pittsburgh's missed target highlights how single selections can alter the performance trajectory of a team's forward corps.
The selection of Tristan Broz at pick 58 rather than Knies shifted the depth chart development plan for the Penguins' bottom-six rotation. Evaluating these historical misses provides insight into how scouting departments adjust their criteria for future entry drafts.
The takeaway
Draft outcomes are frequently determined by the decisions of preceding teams in the selection order. Organizations must maintain flexible draft boards to account for the high probability of losing targeted prospects on the clock.
Further reading
For more background on team development, visit the Hockey section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
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