'He Doesn't Want To Be Sitting Out Very Long': When Could Injured Matthew Knies Return To The Maple Leafs Lineup?

Matthew Knies might not be out of the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup for long.

The forward left shortly before the end of the second period in Wednesday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets after colliding with Kirill Marchenko near the team's bench.

He left the game with an upper-body injury, and Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said the team would learn more on Thursday. Toronto had their Easter Seals skate the following day but didn't hold a practice, so Berube didn't provide an update on Knies.

Related: Matthew Knies Leaves Maple Leafs Game Against Blue Jackets After Sustaining Upper-Body Injury

However, Steven Lorentz was asked how the 22-year-old was holding up after leaving the game and he said the young forward was in good spirits.

"He’s a tough kid. He’s built like a brick you know what house and he’s got that muscle and that added layer. I think he’s just a little bit banged up, but he won’t be out too much longer," Lorentz said on Thursday.

"I already seen him today and he doesn’t want to be sitting out very long. So, I think he’s just doing whatever he can to get back as soon as possible."

Knies is off to a strong start with the Maple Leafs, already setting a new career-high in goals with 18 in 47 games this season. He has 31 points this year, four away from tying last season's total, which is his highest in the NHL.

He's also averaging 18:21 under Berube, almost five more minutes than he averaged last season. According to TSN's Chris Johnston on Thursday's edition of Insider Trading, even he said Knies likely won't be out for too long.

"The early word on Knies, and there was concern when he left the game with an upper-body injury on Wednesday night against Columbus, is that this is going to be a matter of days, not weeks for him, in terms of his return, so it shouldn't be too long on the sidelines for him," Johnston reported.

Knies is in a contract year with Toronto where he'll be a restricted free agent at the end of this season. In 130 games with the Maple Leafs, the forward has 33 goals and 34 assists for 67 points.

Johnston also provided an update on John Tavares, who left practice on Jan. 15 with a lower-body injury. He has missed the last five games with the ailment and it could be a little while before the forward returns to the lineup.

"He has not resumed skating at this point, so there's still a lack of clarity as to exactly when he'll be back," Johnston reported. "He's said to be progressing well, but until he's back on the ice with teammates, he's a ways off from playing again."

Related: John Tavares Still 'Being Evaluated' After Injury During Maple Leafs Practice

(Toronto's assistant captain was in good spirits on Thursday as he stood along one of the benches taking photos and signing autographs during the team's annual Easter Seals skate.)

Tavares has been one of the Maple Leafs' most productive players this season, scoring 42 points (20 goals and 22 assists) in 44 games. Like Knies, the 34-year-old is in a contract year, where, if unsigned, will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Entering this season, Tavares expressed his desire to remain a Maple Leafs player beyond this season. He signed a seven-year, $77 million contract with his hometown team in 2018 and has scored 461 points (204 goals and 257 assists) in 484 games with Toronto since.

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