Maple Leafs Officially Recall Toronto Marlies Standout Amid Hot Streak

NHL teams are officially allowed to return to practice on Tuesday following the scheduled 4 Nations Face-Off break, which allowed players not participating to rest some bumps, bruises and more severe injuries, or just travel and enjoy some downtime.

Ahead of a meaningless round-robin matchup against Sweden, Team USA announced that Auston Matthews was out with "upper-body soreness", but that he was expected to play in Thursday's rematch against Canada.

Despite him being available for the U.S. on Thursday, the Leafs will likely re-evaluate their captain when he returns to Toronto. In the meantime, the Leafs have recalled Alex Steeves from the Marlies in a move that may or may not be directly connected.

The 25-year-old Steeves is the AHL's leading goal-scorer, who has tallied his 29th goal of the season over the weekend in just his 40th game of the season.

Steeves also collected 2 assists in a 3-point game against the Laval Rocket vaulting him to third in AHL scoring with 46 points.

The undrafted free agent will be eligible to test free agency this off-season, but has made it clear he wants to remain in Toronto despite the lack of opportunity he has been given to this point.

However, with such a dominant season in the AHL, Steeves' recent recall, he may finally be given the opportunity to cement his status as an everyday NHLer.