Marshall Rifai is practicing in a regular jersey. Chris Tanev is in the red non-contact jersey. Myers, Benoit, Thrun, Woll, Akhtyamov, Cowan, Maccelli, McMann among the participants in Friday’s optional practice.
Nation Sites
The Nation Network
The LeafsNation has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Leafs practice notes: Rifai skates in regular jersey, Tanev in non-contact red at optional
Photo credit: Steven Ellis/The Nation Network
Dec 12, 2025, 13:00 ESTUpdated: Dec 12, 2025, 12:55 EST
Ahead of Saturday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers, the Toronto Maple Leafs held an optional practice at the Ford Performance Centre on Friday.
Marshall Rifai participated in a regular black practice jersey, indicating that he may be close to returning from a wrist injury that’s kept him out of action this season. Chris Tanev skated in a red non-contact jersey. Tanev will receive a second opinion on an injury that has kept him out of the lineup since November 1.
Philippe Myers, Simon Benoit, Henry Thrun, Easton Cowan, Matias Maccelli and Bobby McMann were among the skaters present, while Joseph Woll and Artur Akhtyamov also attended. Woll is close to returning to action from injured reserve, but will not play Saturday.
McMann will return to the lineup from a one-game suspension. Berube did not confirm whether McMann will rejoin the revamped third line with Dakota Joshua and Nicolas Roy.
Dennis Hildeby did not attend, and is the projected starter for Saturday’s contest.
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube provided several injury updates following Friday’s practice. Brandon Carlo underwent foot surgery on December 3 and isn’t close to returning.
Anthony Stolarz also isn’t close to returning from an upper-body injury, but Berube ruled out the possibility of a season-ending injury.
“I wouldn’t go there, but he’s not going to be on the ice anytime soon,” Berube said of Stolarz.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson will need to skate Saturday morning, before Berube can consider him returning to the lineup. Ekman-Larsson suffered a lower-body injury during Thursday’s game against the San Jose Sharks and did not return to the game.
“Again, he needs to get on the ice. I can’t give you an answer until he gets on the ice tomorrow,” Berube said of Ekman-Larsson.
Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Oilers
Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Max Domi
Easton Cowan-John Tavares-William Nylander
Dakota Joshua-Nicolas Roy-Bobby McMann
Steven Lorentz-Scott Laughton-Nick Robertson
Morgan Rielly-Henry Thrun
Jake McCabe-Troy Stecher
Simon Benoit-Philippe Myers
Dennis Hildeby (projected starter)
Artur Akhtyamov
PRESENTED BY OFF THE ROSTER
Introducing Off The Roster—Toronto Sports, Unfiltered! Toronto sports fans, your new favourite conversation has arrived. Hosted by Cabbie Richards, Lindsay Dunn, and Dan Riccio, Off The Roster dives into the city’s legendary plays, brutal trades, OG jerseys, celebrity tweets, and everything in between. Raw, fun, and totally unfiltered, this is Toronto sports like you’ve never heard it before. Tune in live every weekday morning on the Nation Network YouTube channel, or catch episodes wherever you stream podcasts. Proudly brought to you by our founding partner, PROLINE. Off The Roster—the new sound in the 6ix.
Breaking News
- Terry Koshan explains why Joe Pavelski makes sense for Toronto: Leafs Morning Take
- Ben Danford expresses pride in ‘dirty work’ style of play, reveals goal to make Maple Leafs’ roster in 2026-27
- What should the realistic expectations be for Gavin McKenna entering rookie year?
- Why the Maple Leafs should pursue Landon Nycz with 2nd-round pick
- Max Domi’s injury status could factor into Robertson and Maccelli’s trade talks