SAD NEWS: Toronto maple leafs hit with another bad news ahead of weekend in Chicago and Pittsburgh, on Friday and Saturday.

With John Klingberg absent from the Maple Leafs this weekend, Conor Timmins could be back.

The Leafs were without the veteran when he returned to practice Wednesday and are scheduled to play Friday and Saturday games this weekend in Chicago and Pittsburgh.

“He just keeps working,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. “There is no change to the current state.”

Although there has been no confirmation from the team yet, Klingberg is believed to be suffering from a hip problem. He underwent double hip surgery in 2014 and has suffered other injuries throughout his National Hockey League career. As for Connor Timmins, the 25-year-old defenseman will likely make his season debut in Chicago. During training, Timmins suffered a lower-body injury and struggled to come back. Timmins, who was injured for an extended period on Wednesday, skated with William Lagesson on the third pairing and worked the point on the second power play block.

The Leafs plan to make a decision on Timmins after practice on Thursday. The corresponding list movement follows.

“I’m excited when I’m playing,” Timmins said. “I haven’t been able to go there for a long time. I’m looking forward to it because it’s my favorite track,” he said.