After missing nine games with an upper-body injury, Auston Matthews has come back and is putting the puck in the net? Is he fully back or will it be a long road ahead? Bobby McMann is one of several Toronto Maple Leafs forwards on injured reserve, but it appears he could be back at some point next week. "Hopefully if he gets skating here and he feels good, he could be an option for next week. So we'll see," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said about McMann's status. Shortly after Berube spoke to the media during a day off, McMann did indeed take the ice. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbOsAo3p--8[/embed] McMann sustained a lower-body injury and left the game during the second period of the team's 5-1 loss to the Florida Panthers on Nov. 27. He was subsequently placed on injured reserve, with his roster spot being one of two used to activate Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies for the following game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. It's not clear exactly how McMann got hurt during the game. He took a series of hits and also lost his skate blade in the first period, requiring the help of nearby teammates to get to the bench. McMann has dealt with a series of lower-body injuries throughout his career, including a torn adductor and other recurring issues that have occasionally sidelined him in the past. The Leafs are also without forwards Max Domi and Max Pacioretty who are closer to returning than McMann. David Kampf (lower-body) and Calle Jarnkrok (sports hernia) are on long-term injured reserve. The 28-year-old McMann has six goals and one assist in 21 games this season.
