Breaking: Babcock makes important line changes as Kadri is set to return!

It looks like forward Nazem Kadri could return to action when the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Edmonton Oilers Saturday. 

Kadri missed seven games after a hit from St. Louis Blues defenseman Vince Dunn left him with a concussion on Feb. 20. Toronto lost the game 3-2 in overtime. However, he is ready to return as head coach Mike Babcock inserted him into the lineup for practice on Friday. 

TSN’s Mark Masters reported that Kadri was back between Patrick Marleau and William Nylander Friday at practice. He was also on the team’s top power play unit. 

Here were the line combinations at Friday’s practice, per Masters:

Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Matthews-Kapanen
Marleau-Kadri-Nylander
Ennis-Petan-Brown
Moore
 
Rielly-Hainsey
Muzzin-Zaitsev
Marincin-Ozhiganov
Holl
 
Andersen
Sparks
 
Absent: Gauthier

It will be an important boost for the Leafs to get Kadri back into the fold. In 59 games so far this season, Kadri has 15 goals and 20 assists.