Major Update on Max Pacioretty's Injury After Missing Maple Leafs Practice

Max Pacioretty left practice for the Toronto Maple Leafs after appearing to hurt himself during the team's first session since the Four Nations Faceoff break.

Toronto Maple Leafs head Coach Craig Berube confirmed to reporters that Pacioretty's injury did not appear to be serious, and that Pacioretty had tweaked something before heading out for practice.

Now today, Pacioretty is on the ice for the Toronto Maple Leafs for an open optional skate a day after his injury, appearing to test his readiness.

Positive news for the Toronto Maple Leafs as Pacioretty is skating ahead of the team's next game Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Pacioretty, 36, has five goals and 13 points in 37 games with Toronto this season.

The news of Max Pacioretty returning to practice is something that will be a cautiously optimistic development for the Leafs as Pacioretty appears to be skating rather than being out.

Although the Toronto Maple Leafs are usually tight-lipped on player injuries, it's a positive bit of news that he's able to quickly return to skating a day after having to leave practice, a sign that he looks ready to play this week for Toronto when NHL action resumes.

Pacioretty has already missed time due to injury earlier in the season.

The Leafs, who have been plagued by consistent injury problems all over the roster, cannot afford any other major losses in the depth chart that will impact them down the later stretch of their season.

Pacioretty is necessary on the Leafs offensive group for his veteran presence and effort level at both ends.

He has done well adapting his game in the later part of his career into a more defensively responsible role rather than his traditional offensively-focused game.

It's still not known if Max Pacioretty will actually play Saturday against Carolina, but it looks more likely that whatever kept Pacioretty out yesterday is something he's ready to shake off to play again as the season continues on forward.