1:19 p.m.: The Maple Leafs will have Mike Komisarek back in their lineup Monday night when they host the Buffalo Sabres at the Air Canada Centre.

The veteran defenceman, one of Toronto's big-ticket free agent signings over the summer, missed the last three weeks with a small tear in his quad muscle but he suited up for full practice Sunday and coach Ron Wilson declared him ready to go.

Goaltender Vesa Toskala also practiced after missing the last week with a tweaked groin. Wilson said the incumbent No. 1 netminder would "have to practice hard for a few days before I'm convinced he'll be ready to even backup."

With Komisarek healthy, that gives the Leafs eight healthy defenceman and the coach said it was more than likely that Garnet Exelby and Jeff Finger would be the two to sit as healthy scratches. Wilson said he didn't anticipate Komisarek having any trouble playing games on successive nights. The Leafs travel to Montreal to face the Canadiens on Tuesday.

"It felt great. Its never fun watching from the sidelines or watching your teammates on TV when they're on the road. I'm anxious to get back that's for sure," said Komisarek, who has been skating on his own for a week.

Komisarek, paired again with Tomas Kaberle during Sunday's practice, said the forced hiatus was a chance for him to "clear" his mind and come back into the lineup feeling confident with a "fresh start."

The 27-year-old left Montreal to sign a five-year, $22.5 million contract with the Leafs during the summer but he struggled noticeably during the 16 games he played before getting hurt. He is a minus 9 rating which is tied with François Beauchemin as the worst on the team.

GRABOVSKI TAKES SWING AT BEAUCHEMIN

Mikhail Grabovski created an interesting distraction towards the end of practice when he angrily tried to get at François Beauchemin, first grabbing his visor and then punching the veteran defenceman in the face with a bare right hand. Jason Blake, then assistant coach Tim Hunter stepped in to break up the pair before it became more heated.

"After day off, everybody wants to play hard because tomorrow is a game," said Grabovski, who would not say what set him off. "We need to be ready for tomorrow. No comment. I'm okay."

Grabovski, in his second year with the team, has been accused in the past of not respecting veteran teammates at practice. He got into a fight with Blake during a practice last season.

Beauchemin declined to make himself available to reporters. Wilson said it was no different than a minor family spat and a product of hard work at practice.

"It happens. It's hockey. People get physical and upset with themselves or other people and it leads to a minor, little skirmish. It's nothing more than that. You have more crap like that going on at home when you were 10 years old, fighting with you brothers. It's the same situation here," said Wilson.

11:34 a.m.: As the Leafs' practice in Etobicoke Sunday morning, they've clearly received some good news on the injury front. Defenceman Mike Komisarek is back on the ice practicing for the first time since suffering a small tear in his quadriceps muscle on Nov. 10. It was anticipated he would miss three weeks at the time and he appears to be right on schedule.

Komisarek is partnered with Tomas Kaberle at practice, which would suggest he will be in the lineup Monday night when the surging Leafs host Buffalo at the Air Canada Centre.

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With eight healthy defenceman, the Leafs will have to sit two. A likely option would be to sit the pair of Garnet Exelby and Jeff Finger.

Goaltender Vesa Toskala, who has been out with a groin injury, is also at practice. That gives the Leafs three goalies. If Toskala is ready to suit up Monday, Joey MacDonald will likely be returned to the Marlies.

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