Promising News Coming Out of Maple Leafs Practice Regarding Injured Winger Matthew Knies

The Toronto Maple Leafs are banged up right now, there just no two ways about it. Thankfully, recent updates on two key figures in Toronto are giving fans something to look forward to.

Already without Calle Jarnkrok, David Kampf, Max Pacioretty, Max Domi and Auston Matthews, the Leafs watched sophomore Matthew Knies eat a brutal head shot from Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud, which left him in immediate distress.

After making his way to the bench, Knies made his way down the tunnel almost immediately and did not return to the game, further compounding the Leafs' injury issues.

Surprisingly, not only did Whitecloud not receive a penalty for the hit on Knies, he didn't receive a suspension either, despite the obvious head contact.

Thankfully, after not stepping on the ice for the past few days, Knies was back on the ice on Sunday morning ahead of the game day skate.

While Knies' presence on the ice on Sunday was positive, Leafs coach Craig Berube's update on both Knies and captain Auston Matthews following the Leafs' morning skate really allowed fans to breathe a sigh of relief.

Getting these two players back relatively quickly would be hugely beneficial for a depleted Maple Leafs forward group, even though the depth has performed amicably in their absences.

Matthews appears poised to return against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, while Knies' expected return date is a little less certain.