See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source Perhaps Matthew Knies can take it as an sign — a good one. The Maple Leafs forward told host Nick Alberga of the Leafs Morning Take podcast on Tuesday that recently sinking a hole-in-one has taken the pressure off his golf game.

“Now I feel like I can sit back and relax because not a lot of guys have one,” Knies said. “I was lost for words the rest of the round.

My game fell apart after that, but it was fun.” Knies’ magical moment on the course capped a summer during which he endured trade rumours while working himself back into “100%” health after a knee injury lingered through much of the 2025-26 season. He’s going to hit training camp with a fresh outlook.

“I tried not to look into (the trade speculation) too much,” Knies said. “I’m not blind to it.

All that stuff, it’s cliche to say, but it’s really out of my control. “I didn’t have any say as to what was going on, so I’m fortunate I’m still here because I’m part of this group and I love these guys.

“I’m just happy I’m still wearing the blue and white.” Weight loss to benefit? Regarding his knee, Knies said some tendon issues kept him from making the kind of impact he desired.

It wasn’t a lost season for him on a personal level, as he still managed to score 23 goals while recording 43 assists for a career-high 66 points. Knies’ mark of minus-30, though, was among the worst in the National Hockey League and he knows that will have to be corrected.

He told Alberga he has trimmed down a bit and will start camp in the range of 226-227 pounds. HAVE YOUR SAY: What do you think of Maple Leafs off-season changes ahead of training camp?

Why Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews is'extremely motivated' on eve of NHL training camp Regarding his thoughts on missing the playoffs this past spring, Knies was clear. “Fluke of a year,” the 23-year-old said.

“We have such high talent and a mixture of great players on our team that that was pretty unacceptable to not make it into the playoffs. “We’ve made some really good moves.

I think Gavin (McKenna) is going to be a hell of a player. I’m really happy (goalie Sergei Bobrovsky) is on our side.

“There’s a different noise in our locker room. There are a lot of new faces who can help boost us.

I’m excited.” tkoshan@postmedia.com X: @koshtorontosun