Keep updated on all the injury news and roster updates from around the NHL with daily Ice Chips.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews will make his return to the lineup for the first time since March 12.
Matthews, 29, will take the ice for the Leafs’ pre-season opener after undergoing knee surgery last season to repair a Grade 3 MCL tear that ended his 2025-26 campaign early.
The three-time Rocket Richard winner will take part in the Leafs’ split-squad pre-season opener against the Montreal Canadiens in Toronto, and will be joined by new teammates Gavin McKenna, Darren Raddysh, and Sergei Bobrovsky.
Matthews and McKenna highlight the forwards group that also includes John Tavares, William Nylander, Matthew Knies, Jack Roslovic, Bo Groulx, Tinus Luc Koblar, Steven Lorentz, Zack MacEwen, Harry Nansi, and Jacob Quillan.
Raddysh will make his Leafs debut on Saturday night after having his rights traded to Toronto from the Tampa Bay Lightning over the off-season before inking an eight-year, $68 million deal with the team.
The Caldeon native will man the blueline on Saturday with newcomer Emil Andrae, Ben Danford, Jake McCabe, Marshall Rifai, and Chris Tanev - who makes his return after undergoing core muscle surgery to end his 2025-26 season.
The Maple Leafs used these lines during Saturday’s morning skate, according to TSN’s Mark Masters.
Additionally, Raddysh was quarterbacking the first power-play with Matthews, Tavares, Nylander, Roslovic. Andrae was on the point on the second power-play with McKenna, Knies, Groulx, and Koblar.
Montreal Canadiens
Newly-signed forward Chris Kreider remains on the top line at the Montreal Canadiens’ morning skate ahead of their split-squad pre-season opener on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Kreider, who joined the team on a one-year contract after having his deal with the Anaheim Ducks terminated, has kept his spot next to Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on Martin St. Louis’ top line.
Oliver Kapanen centered the second line with Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov, while Lane Huston and Alexandre Carrier made up the top pairing on defence.
Jakub Dobes is set to get the start, with Jacob Fowler backing up.
