Detroit Red Wings acquire Matthew Knies: A major development and here's what would cost

The Detroit Red Wings could swing for the fences and add a significant winger in free agency if they send an offer sheet to Matthew Knies.

Knies is a dynamic winger in Toronto and found himself stapled to the Maple Leafs' top line this season, flanking Auston Matthews. He's a gritty, two-way forward who has the capability of more than a 58-point winger (29-29).

Though sending him an offer sheet could come at a significant cost. Offer sheets had been frowned upon for the longest time until Doug Armstrong would pluck away Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg from the Edmonton Oilers for a respectable cap hit.

Now, it seems that the culture is shifting in the NHL, and Matthew Knies, like other RFAs, is vulnerable to an offer sheet.

The 6'3" winger would follow up his 58-point season, contributing 7 points (5-2) in 13 playoff games with the Maple Leafs.

Knies was signed right out of college by the Maple Leafs and has matured nicely as a winger in the NHL. He could earn upwards of $9-10 million as an RFA, given his production and play with linemates Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

According to Paul Bissonnette, Spittin' Chiclets host and TNT Analyst, Knies and his agent will be testing the market to see what he can get in terms of an offer sheet.

The Maple Leafs will be put to the test by Yzerman and the Red Wings, who could force their hand, and offer him $9-10 million AAV and could end up sending three high draft picks to the Leafs after all is said and done.

Adding Matthew Knies would mean an addition of a power forward, who could slot in on the top-six and add some size, speed, and skill in addition to the finesse of a player like Lucas Raymond or Patrick Kane, depending on where he slots in.

The cost to win Stanley Cups is high, and Knies might be a great investment down the road.