Tavares returned to the ice in Bracebridge on Wednesday and was back on the ice at Ford Performance Centre on Thursday.
John Tavares was a regular participant for the second consecutive day of practice, the clearest indication that the Toronto Maple Leafs forward missed a couple of on-ice sessions with the team as a precautionary measure.
"There's just a contusion there. So, I think we just wanted some of the swelling and soreness to settle down," Tavares said following practice on Thursday.
Tavares was on the receiving end of a hit along the boards from Montreal Canadiens forward Michael Pezzetta in the first period of a pre-season game on Sep. 26.
The alternate captain stayed in the game and spoke to reporters with his knee iced up. With little to gain by exposing Tavares to future on-ice sessions as the Leafs gear up for their regular season opener on Oct. 9 against Montreal, the Leafs and Tavares took all the time they needed.
"Obviously, the regular season is probably a different approach in how you're coming back. And, you know, the medical staff did a great job as they always do. And I felt the extra couple of days there would just do me a lot of good in the long run, which I think it has.
"I feel really good this week. And happy to be back out here with the guys the last couple of days and preparing and pushing."
Tavares will not be a part of the group going to Detroit to take on the Red Wings. As they have done for all of their road pre-season games, the Leafs have iced a roster of some veterans along with players on the bubble still competing for spots.
Calle Jarnkrok also returned to the ice at the same time of Tavares' Jarnkrok's absence was a little longer due to a lower-body injury that has limited the player to just one pre-season game.
Jarnkrok will be one of the players in the lineup against Detroit on Thursday evening.
