Injured Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Nikita Zaitsev returned to practice on Monday and his return to the lineup will be determined on how he feels over the next couple days, according to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger.

Zaitsev, 26, hasn't played since Dec. 15 with a foot injury, but was skating on his own before practice last week. The Russian has four goals and 10 points in 34 games this season.

He rotated with Ron Hainsey pairing with Jake Gardiner in practice on Monday. The Leafs used the following practice lines:

Martin-Nylander-Hyman
Marleau-Kadri-Marner
van Riemsdyk-Bozak-Brown
Komarov/Soshnikov-Moore-Kapanen
Leivo

Gardiner-Hainsey/Zaitsev
Dermott/Borgman-Carrick
Borgman/Dermott-Polak

 

Injured defenceman Morgan Rielly skated with skills coach Mike Ellis before practice on Monday. The 23-year-old has missed the last four games with an arm injury.

Forward Nikita Soshnikov also returned to practice for the first time since he was placed on the injured reserve with a lower-body injury on Dec. 12.

Toronto welcomes the New York Islanders to the Air Canada Centre Wednesday night.