Maple Leafs Make Corresponding Roster Move Following The Return Of Two Key Players From Injury
The Toronto Maple Leafs are getting both John Tavares and Matthew Knies back on Saturday which means the team needed to send down Nikita Grebenkin.
Coming off a three game losing streak where they have been outscored 10-3, the Maple Leafs head into Edmonton looking to make a statement as they need to get back on track before things start to get out of hand.
They are getting John Tavares and Matthew Knies back, which is a huge bonus as both men are critical to the success of the team this season. Unfortunately, it means that fan favorite Nikita Grebenkin is the casualty of a demotion in order to open up a roster spot.
Grebenkin didn't factor in much to the Maple Leafs lineup in his second call up; he has zero points and is minus-3 in seven games in his rookie season.
John Tavares And Matthew Knies Return At Critical Time
It's a fantastic sign that the Maple Leafs are getting nearly 50% of their scoring output back. Both men have combined for 38 of Toronto's 155 goals this season, and though the team has a litany of superstar talent; nothing was able to form in their absence.
Tavares was hurt after getting tangled up with defenseman Simon Benoit during a power play drill during practice, meanwhile Knies tumbled into a linesman during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets and suffered an upper-body injury.
Toronto desperately needs them and given they have already lost their lead in the Atlantic, and Florida winning again on Saturday afternoon (earning former coach Paul Maurice his 900th career NHL win), it's a tough hill to climb and heading into Edmonton, it's going to be even more daunting.
An unrestricted free agent at season's end, Tavares is still putting out great numbers even in his 16th year in the League. He has 20 goals and 22 assists in 44 games, and also joined an exclusive club of players who have scored 200 or more goals with two separate teams.
A restricted free agent at the end of the season, Knies is building upon a breakout campaign last year, with 18 goals and 13 assists, and is currently on pace to hit at least 25 goals in only his second full season in the league.
Toronto hopes the return of their key forwards will spark a big offensive game, as they take on the Edmonton Oilers in Alberta with the game scheduled to start at 7pm ET.
