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Matthews, Roy, Knies returns force two veteran scratches in Toronto: Leafs send rookie to Marlies

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Ryan Smitheram
November 26, 2025 (1:44 PM)

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The returns of Auston Matthews, Nicolas Roy and Matthew Knies have forced two veteran Leafs into the press box and one rookie forward down to the Marlies.

Kicking off their five-game road trip on Wednesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Leafs will have a few reinforcements for their forward group.

Knies, Matthews, Roy to return against Columbus

Despite participating in grey jerseys at Tuesday's practice, Leafs head coach Craig Berube was hopeful the trio of Matthews, Roy and Knies would be available on Wednesday.

Knies confirmed his own status ahead of the morning skate, but confirmation on the return of Matthews and Roy was not given until shortly thereafter.

Two veterans scratched to open lineup spots for Knies, Matthews and Roy

In the past, when a player of Knies' or Matthews' caliber was to return to the lineup, it was often a younger player like Nick Robertson that would be shuffled to the press box.

That isn't the case this time, however, as Robertson and rookie Easton Cowan have shined in expanded roles, forcing Berube to look at veterans that haven't performed.

All of Dakota Joshua, Matias Maccelli and Sammy Blais stayed on the ice following the morning skate, indicating they would be the ones to come out of the lineup.

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Leafs return Jacob Quillan to Marlies

In addition to Joshua, Maccelli and Blais being scratched, the Leafs also returned rookie Jacob Quillan to the Toronto Marlies.

The Marlies' leading scorer (at the time he joined the Leafs) drew compliments from the media for his play since joining the big club on November 17th.

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Sending Quillan down was out of necessity to free up a roster spot, but will also give the 23-year-old the opportunity to step back into a larger role where he can contribute more.

How Berube shuffles his line combinations with the trio of forwards returning won't be revealed until warm-ups, but it will at least allow him to end the horrible experiment with Max Domi at centre.

Previously on Toronto Hockey Daily

Canucks suddenly giving ex-Maple Leafs forward David Kampf the opportunity of his NHL career

Massive development in Toronto as trade chatter picks up surrounding Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly

Maple Leafs defenseman likely to be dealt; lots of intriguing options available on new trade bait board

POLL
NOVEMBRE 26 \| 988 ANSWERS Matthews, Roy, Knies returns force two veteran scratches in Toronto: Leafs send rookie to Marlies Would you have rather seen Domi scratched over Maccelli or Joshua?
Yes	642	65 %
No	346	35 %
List of polls

Matthews, Roy, Knies returns force two veteran scratches in Toronto: Leafs send rookie to Marlies

The returns of Auston Matthews, Nicolas Roy and Matthew Knies have forced two veteran Leafs into the press box and one rookie forward down to the Marlies.

Knies, Matthews, Roy to return against Columbus

Two veterans scratched to open lineup spots for Knies, Matthews and Roy

Leafs return Jacob Quillan to Marlies

Would you have rather seen Domi scratched over Maccelli or Joshua?