Nazem Kadri may not be the only player making his return to Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday.
According to multiple reports, the Toronto Maple Leafs placed Nick Shore on waivers Tuesday afternoon. The move is seen as a precursor to Mitch Marner's return to the Leafs' lineup after he missed nearly a month with a high ankle sprain.
#Leafs placed Nick Shore on waivers today at noon
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) December 3, 2019
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Shore has appeared in 21 games for Toronto this season, tallying three total points (two goals, one assist). If he clears waivers, Shore could join the AHL's Toronto Marlies on Wednesday, paving the way for Marner to be taken off long-term injury reserve.
Marner suffered the ankle injury on Nov. 9 against the Philadelphia Flyers, putting the 22-year-old forward on the shelf until Monday when he participated in a full-contact practice with the rest of his teammates. After initial fears that the Toronto-area native would miss a minimum of four weeks, it appears that Marner — who had 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 18 games prior to the injury — will play his first game for new head coach Sheldon Keefe on Wednesday against the visiting Avalanche.
Kadri, the longtime former Maple Leaf who was traded to Colorado in July as part of a deal that saw Tyson Barrie and Alexander Kerfoot head to Toronto, is set to play his first-ever NHL game in Toronto as a member of the opposing team. The Leafs' first-round pick in 2009, Kadri has been a bright spot for a hot Avalanche team, with 10 goals and 10 assists in 26 games so far this season.