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.

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

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.

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.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies left Wednesday night's game after taking a massive hit from Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud.

In news today from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Matthew Knies was placed on injured reserve. Alex Nylander was signed and called up.

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.