The Toronto Maple Leafs face mounting challenges with injuries decimating their roster. On Friday, the team announced that Matthew Knies will miss Sunday’s game against the Utah Hockey Club. Knies, who sustained an injury after a hard hit by Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud, was placed on injured reserve retroactively to Nov. 20. The earliest he can return is Wednesday against the Florida Panthers.
Knies’ absence brings the total number of unavailable forwards for Toronto to seven. The list includes Auston Matthews (IR), Calle Jarnkrok (LTIR), Max Pacioretty (LTIR), Max Domi (IR), David Kampf (LTIR), and Ryan Reaves (suspended).
In response to this depleted roster, the Maple Leafs signed Alexander Nylander to a one-year NHL contract worth $775,000. Nylander, initially signed to an AHL contract in the offseason, required an NHL deal to join the team. With this contract, Nylander cannot be sent back to the Toronto Marlies without clearing waivers.
The signing also creates a unique opportunity for Nylander to play alongside his older brother, William Nylander, for the first time in their professional careers. Given the current injuries, the Leafs have significant lineup flexibility, and it’s possible the Nylander brothers could share a line.
General manager Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube also called up three players from the Marlies to bolster the roster: Alex Steeves, the team’s leading scorer, along with Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin, who both debuted in Toronto’s recent win over Vegas. Minten marked the occasion with his first NHL goal, equaling the goal tally of Pontus Holmberg and surpassing that of Max Domi.
Nylander has made a strong case for this NHL opportunity, scoring eight goals and adding four assists for 12 points in just 14 AHL games this season. At the time of his signing, he ranked among the league’s top 10 goal scorers. Nylander also showed promise during a brief stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season.
With Knies sidelined and a growing list of injuries, the Leafs will be relying on their newest additions to step up as they navigate this challenging stretch.
