Maple Leafs Announce Late Roster Move Involving Rookie Ahead of Original Six Matchup

Slowly but surely, the Toronto Maple Leafs are becoming a much healthier club. Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, Max Pacioretty, Max Domi, and Jake McCabe have all made their way back from injuries recently, and it seems we can add Bobby McMann to the list.

The 28-year-old was officially activated from the injured reserve by the Maple Leafs ahead of tonight's contest against the Detroit Red Wings. In a corresponding move, they re-assigned forward Nikita Grebenkin to the Toronto Marlies.

McMann last played on the 27th of November during the Maple Leafs' 5-1 thumping at the hands of the Florida Panthers. He was forced to exit the contest with a lower-body injury and was placed on the IR shortly thereafter.

The third-year forward has recorded 6 goals and 1 assist in 21 games this season with a plus-6 rating, 14:01 ATOI, and 34 hits.

It hasn't been the season he expected to have after scoring 15 goals in 56 games last year, but fresh off injured reserve, McMann will look to get back on track tonight, slotted on the wing alongside Max Domi and Fraser Minten.

As for Grebenkin, he will return to the Marlies, where he scored 4 goals and 10 points in 13 games and is expected to return to his top-6 role upon his arrival. He went without a point in 7 games with the Maple Leafs, carried a minus-3 rating, averaged 8:45 TOI, and delivered 13 hits.

Grebenkin quickly endeared himself to the fan base with his personality, winning attitude, and post-game interviews. Should the Maple Leafs continue to deal with injures, expect another recall for Grebenkin.