Maple Leafs Make Two Last-Minute Roster Moves Before Facing Wild
The Toronto Maple Leafs made some crucial roster moves ahead of their game against the Minnesota Wild, activating Max Pacioretty and moving Matthew Knies to the IR.
The Maple Leafs have been without forward Max Pacioretty since he went down against the Montreal Canadiens and placed on the IR retroactive to Jan 18. He was able to be activated off the IR as of Wednesday.
Matthew Knies was also a victim of injury, albeit in a freak accident as the forward ended up falling into a linesman in Toronto's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Jan. 22 and has missed ever since. Along with John Tavares, it's a trio of injuries that have desperately hurt the Maple Leafs.
But Toronto is one step closer to getting a healthy bunch as it was announced only hours before game time they have activated Max Pacioretty off the IR and moved Matthew Knies there in a crucial roster swap.
Knies was placed on the IR due to the fact that it opens a spot for Pacioretty to return, and gives fan favorite call up Nikita Grebenkin a chance to stick around a bit longer before being inevitably sent down.
Max Pacioretty Returns, Matthew Knies Headed To IR
It's been 11 days since Max Pacioretty played and while the Maple Leafs have only had three games in between, it hasn't been great. They beat Tampa Bay, but got demolished by Columbus and outlasted by Ottawa and Pacioretty's absence hurt.
But when he's on the ice, although he doesn't change the game like he used to with his scoring prowess, he's exchanged goals for hits and has brought a ton of physicality to the Maple Leafs and it was fairly unexpected.
Pacioretty has 89 hits this season, and is only 30 away from tying his career high set in 2018-19 and people often forget that the 36-year old isn't a small guy and at 6'2, 217 pounds; he feels like a Mack Truck ran into you.
This season, Pacioretty has five goals and seven assists in 32 games after signing a one-year deal in the offseason after playing with the team on a PTO.
Knies hasn't missed as much, but with a second injury already in his career it's a bit concerning.
Having a breakout season after a breakout season, he's has created magic with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, and has brought a lot of versatility, offense and an edge Toronto needs.
With 18 goals and 31 assists, Knies is on pace for over 30 goals and 200 hits, a true showcase of his hybrid skillset. One of the team's future superstars, Knies is in the last year of his ELC and Toronto needs to re-sign him ASAP, and at this point just hand him a blank check.
Though it's not the entire team healthy, Pacioretty returning and Knies not far behind is a great sign as Toronto looks to add to their slim Atlantic Division lead.
