‘Hopefully, He Keeps Progressing In The Right Way’: Maple Leafs’ Matthew Knies Returns To Practice In Non-Contact Jersey, Max Domi Still Recovering, Will Stay Back From Florida Trip

Knies skated for the first time since he suffered an upper-body injury on November 20 against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Toronto Maple Leafs hit the ice for practice on Tuesday at Ford Performance Centre as they prepare for their upcoming two-game road trip in Florida, beginning with a matchup against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Wednesday, followed by a Saturday meeting with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The session offered some positive development for forward Matthew Knies, who returned to the ice for the first time since suffering an upper-body injury on November 20 during a game against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Knies wore a red non-contact jersey, signaling he is not yet ready for full participation but is making strides in his recovery.

“It was great. So he's good and he's practicing. Hopefully, he keeps progressing in the right way and we'll get him on the ice again tomorrow and see where he's at,” head coach Craig Berube said after practice.

While Knies is trending in the right direction, set to partake in a skate ahead of the club’s matchup with the Panthers on Wednesday, another forward remains sidelined. Max Domi (lower-body) has not yet resumed skating and will not join the team on their trip to Florida along with David Kampf, Berube announced on Tuesday.

“They will not. They'll stay here. They'll stay back,” Berube said, before adding, “They still haven't skated, right? Domi or Kampf. So, they're still recovering right now. No ice yet,” said Berube.

Domi, placed on injured reserve on November 20 after attempting to play through the ailment, continues to recover from a lower-body injury. He has already missed two games and is expected to sit out his third and fourth consecutive contests during the Maple Leafs’ road trip.

The 29-year-old forward has struggled to find his offensive rhythm, recording six assists in 19 games while still searching for his first goal with the club this season.

With the Leafs getting good signs from the players who are filling in the holes up front, Berube emphasized the importance of giving Domi and other players working through injuries the time they need to fully recover.

“We don't want to put anybody in a bad situation. We got guys up here that have been playing, doing a good job,” Berube explained. “We have to be patient too and make the right decision on this.”