Why The Maple Leafs Activated Max Pacioretty And Placed Matthew Knies On Injured Reserve

Three hours before the Toronto Maple Leafs face off against the Minnesota Wild, they've activated Max Pacioretty from the injured reserve. The team has also placed Matthew Knies on IR retroactive to Jan. 22.

Pacioretty has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury after taking a puck to the ear in Toronto's 7-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Jan. 18. He has five goals and seven assists with the Maple Leafs in 32 games this season.

"It's just one of those where, given the circumstances, it's better to be smart right now and make sure that when I do return, I feel 100 percent," Pacioretty said on Tuesday.

"I think that's kind of the goal and why they've put a lot of emphasis on those injuries and protection of the players. I just wanted to get back to feeling confident. I feel confident right now."

The 36-year-old forward skated alongside Fraser Minten and Nick Robertson on Toronto's third line at practice on Tuesday. Pacioretty has averaged 13:36 of ice time under Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube this season.

"He has such a veteran experience and he's a great player to play with," Robertson said of the opportunity to play with Pacioretty. "So much wisdom and how much poise and how much knowledge he has on the ice definitely helps our line and I look forward to it."

Knies has missed one game after throwing a hit on Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko in the team's 5-1 loss on Jan. 22. He skated before practice on Tuesday and took part in Toronto's optional morning skate on Wednesday.

"I think he's close. I mean, he's feeling like it's improving every day," Berube said on Tuesday. "He's doing more and more. I thought I might see him in our practice a little bit, but that was not the case today."

Knies has 18 goals and 13 assists in 47 games this season, primarily playing on Toronto's top line alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. He's reached a new career high in goals and is four points away from tying a career-high in points.

The Maple Leafs' next game — after playing the Wild on Wednesday — is on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers. Toronto will practice in Edmonton on Friday as they gear up for their Western Canada road trip.

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, it's likely Knies will return on Saturday against the Oilers.

Placing Knies on the team's injured reserve allows the Maple Leafs to keep Nikita Grebenkin up with the club after they activated Pacioretty. It will also provide Grebenkin with an NHL salary versus what he'd make down with the Toronto Marlies.

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