Two Maple Leafs miss practice as Scott Laughton returns in a non-contact jersey
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
At Friday's practice, the Toronto Maple Leafs had Matthew Knies and Brandon Carlo absent for maintenance, while Scott Laughton returned in a non-contact jersey.
According to NHL Insider David Alter of The Hockey News, the Toronto Maple Leafs' practice on Friday saw both Brandon Carlo and Matthew Knies absent for what the team referred to as maintenance, and also saw the return of injured forward Scott Laughton, who was sporting a red non-contact jersey:
Laughton has been out since leaving Nov 8th's game against the Bruins after receiving a hit from Boston defenseman Nikita Zadorov:
What today's practice availability indicates for the Maple Leafs
His appearance in a non-contact jersey indicates he has resumed on-ice activity though there is no confirmation that Laughton is going to return to game action.
The forward has only skated in two games for the team this season for a total of 17:01 TOI; he missed the beginning of the season after getting injured blocking a shot in the final game of the preseason.
The absence of Knies and Carlo for maintenance is not surprising, as Toronto has previously used maintenance days to rest their players, and with both men reaching 23:50 and 19:44 TOI respectively after an OT loss, rest had to be acquired.
This season has been a very good one for Knies thus far with 22 points in 18 games (5 goals, 17 assists) and a plus-4 while averaging 20:34 TOI -- second behind only Auston Matthews.
Carlo has two assists in 18 games this season, while adding 34 blocks and 12 hits, and averaging 20:04 TOI which is fourth amongst Leafs defensemen.
Today's practice shows that It reflects a typical maintenance approach, with Laughton limited to non-contact work and Knies and Carlo held out for rest.
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