#injury-return

#injury-return

I am feeling strong and ready to go. Staying in Bournemouth to rehab gave me a period of time to get stronger, get more fit and focus on the objectives with the boys here.

I think everyone knows that I can play in different roles and that I give my all wherever I play. This season I've played a few times as a striker or in midfield, but wherever I play I'll try to help create or score goals. I'm happy to do so.

Giddey has been in the midst of his best season as a pro, averaging 18.6 points while slashing .462/.366/.775, along with 8.8 assists, 8.6 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 34 healthy bouts (31 starts). His health probably stopped him from having at least a chance at cracking the Eastern Conference coaches' reserves list for this year's surprisingly watchable All-Star Game.

Hedman is the Lightning's career leader in games played (1,149) and leads all Tampa Bay defensemen in career goals, assists and points. He led the Bolts to back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 2020 and 2021, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2020. He's a six-time finalist for the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman, winning the award once in 2018.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were dealt a heavy blow when captain Auston Matthews had to leave the game against the Detroit Red Wings on Dec. 28 after blocking a shot. It got even worse when the news was out that he would miss the following game two days later. But thankfully, the nightmare is over and Matthews is going to be back in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Winnipeg Jets.

Jonathan Aspirot, who has been out of the lineup since Dec. 11 with an upper body injury, was on a second pairing with Hampus Lindholm in the B's morning skate at the Saddledome as the struggling Andrew Peeke moved down to a third pairing with Mason Lohrei. The top pair of Nikita Zadorov-Charlie McAvoy remained intact. Coach Marco Sturm termed Aspirot a game-time decision.

Some of them, I should have been to the free throw line. Some I missed. Some of them I made. I can't change it. I just got to live with it.

I'm excited to join the group. It's never fun to be on the sideline and watching your teammates battling. They've been playing some super good hockey, and I feel extremely excited to join the group and be able to come back to battle with them.

"If it's up to me. I'll always play," Hampton said. "But I got to wait for the doc. Whatever they say goes."