Maple Leafs Make Two Major Roster Moves Involving Max Pacioretty and Jake McCabe

With the news that Max Pacioretty may be potentially available for Saturday's game against Pittsburgh, it was only a matter of time before we got news regarding his status for the game.

Well it has now been officially announced that Max Pacioretty has been activated off the IR and will make his return against the Penguins.

However, this news comes at a cost as Toronto also placed defenseman Jake McCabe on the IR retroactive to Nov. 30 after he was struck in the head by a puck and is not cleared to play as of yet.

It's great news for Pacioretty as he makes his return to the ice after suffering a very scary leg injury during a game against his former team; the Montreal Canadiens. He got tangled up with defenseman Michael Matheson and was seen grabbing the back of his leg.

Pacioretty was having a great year before the injury, and while it wasn't an offensive outburst from the veteran forward, he was a big part of Toronto's success and finding chemistry with John Tavares and William Nylander.

He looked rejuvenated this season after two straight disappointing years where he dealt with severe Achilles injuries, and seeing as it was a leg injury again, the worst was feared. Pacioretty has 6 points in 13 games for Toronto this season.

McCabe being placed on IR is a tough pill to swallow for the Maple Leafs as he has been one of Toronto's best defenseman all year. His pairing with Chris Tanev has been one of the league's best and a big reason why Toronto has found themselves with the deepest defense they've had in years.

In McCabe's absence, Philippe Myers has been in his spot and while he has not broke out in any way, he's a solid hand that Toronto is high on, so it's great to know McCabe has a trustworthy replacement while he recovers.

With Pacioretty's return to the Maple Leafs, they will have a few questions as to where he will play and who is taken out of the lineup, however no matter where he plays it's just great to see him back.

Toronto is looking to bounce back from a tough 3-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Friday, and will get a great chance to get back in the win column against the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night.