Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies was placed on injured reserve Friday due to an upper-body injury, though coach Craig Berube said he is showing signs of improvement.

The Leafs are experiencing a shortage of forwards, but Knies' return to the ice is a good sign. On Saturday, Auston Matthews returned to the ice for the first time in a week following a trip to Germany to seek additional assessment and treatment for an upper-body injury.

Following the placement of injured forward Matthew Knies on Injured Reserve, the Maple Leafs have signed a true household name.

The Toronto Maple Leafs received a positive update on forward Matthew Knies following a controversial hit during Wednesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Leafs head coach Craig Berube confirmed Thursday that Knies was “feeling OK” but noted the 22-year-old is still undergoing evaluations.

Knies sustained an upper-body injury during the second period of the Maple Leafs' 3-0 win against Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, forcing him to leave the contest midway through the second period. The injury occurred after Knies was hit by Vegas defenseman Zach Whitecloud. Following the collision. He did not return for the remainder of the game.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have put forward Matthew Knies on the injured reserve with an upper-body injury, the team announced Friday. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube told reporters Friday that Knies is "improving" but didn't know when he would return. Knies was placed on IR, retroactive to Nov. 20.

A new addition joins the Toronto Maple Leafs, who lost Matthew Knies and are awaiting the return of Auston Matthews in the middle of the NHL season.

Auston Matthews stood looking relaxed in a place he hasn’t been seen much lately: At the front of the Toronto Maple Leafs practice facility locker room. “From where I was at up to now, I feel night and day,

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been without captain Auston Matthews for the last several games, as he’s been dealing with an upper-body ailment. He’s also sought treatment overseas in Germany and has resumed skating with a goal of getting back into the lineup sooner than later.

Auston Matthews came back from Germany with a spring in his step Saturday, but wasn’t too forthcoming about what exactly his upper body injury is. After five days seeing a specialist in Germany, at least some of the mystery about his day-to-day condition that has stretched into three weeks was explained.