Leafs practice notes: Rifai skates in regular jersey, Tanev in non-contact red at optional

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.