Matthews: Return Wednesday vs. Panthers is possible

Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews isn't certain when he'll return to the lineup, but he considers Wednesday's game against the Florida Panthers a possibility, according to TSN's Mark Masters.

Matthews last played on Nov. 3 and has missed seven contests with an upper-body injury. He recently traveled to Germany to receive treatment.

"(The injury) flared up in the preseason," Matthews said, according to the Toronto Sun's Lance Hornby. "Felt better and started getting worse. I just felt it was time to take a step back, re-evaluate. It hasn't necessarily gotten worse but wasn't getting better. I wanted to be proactive."

Matthews skated before his team's practice Saturday but didn't participate in the full session. It was the first time Toronto's captain hit the ice publicly since Nov. 10.

The Maple Leafs face the Utah Hockey Club on Sunday before heading to Florida to take on the Panthers on Wednesday and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.

Toronto is currently without seven forwards due to injury and suspension: Matthews, Max Domi, Calle Jarnkrok, David Kampf, Matthew Knies, Max Pacioretty, and Ryan Reaves. Reaves, who was suspended five games for his hit on Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse, is eligible to return for his team's Dec. 4 outing against the Nashville Predators.

Matthews has five goals and 11 points in 13 games this season. He led the NHL with 69 goals last year and recorded 107 points.