The Toronto Maple Leafs did confirm that defenseman Mark Giordano will “miss some time” after leaving last night’s win against the Florida Panthers early with an upper body injury.
Giordano is therefore heading to the infirmary where John Klingberg can be found since he was placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) last week with what has since been confirmed by team GM Brad Treliving to be a hip injury.
On top of that, Toronto has already exceeded the salary cap with Jake Muzzin ($5.625 million )and goalie Matt Murrray ($4.687 million) out for the season. However, they have $3.109 million in cap space with Klingberg and blue liner Timothy Liljegren also on LTIR.
The Maple Leafs have been struggling more than ever anticipated and sure, injuries have played a big part. With so many bodies, especially on the blue line missing, head coach Sheldon Keefe decided to scrap full practice on Wednesday, on the morning following a 2-1 shooutout win against the Panthers.
Lance Hornby, who attended the Maple Leafs’ practice, pointed out:
“Leafs scrapped a full practice for some skills work spread over three pads with a smattering of players. They’d have been missing some bodies anyway.”
When it comes to Giordano, Keefe stated that the severity of his hand injury is still being determined, but that the veteran blue liner will not play tomorrow night.
While the Maple Leafs still have to face the next games with significant voids to fill on the back end, there is a sense that GM Brad Treliving could be seeking help on the trade market. Rumours have recently linked the Maple Leafs to Calgary Flames’ Noah Hanifin, Nikita Zadorov and Chris Tanev. There is also reported interest in former Leaf Ilya Lyubushkin of the Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers’ Sean Walker and Columbus Blue Jackets’ Andrew Peeke as trade options.
Toronto will be in action on Thursday night as the Leafs host the Seattle Kraken. With full practice being scrapped on Wednesday, we will get a better idea of the projected lineup tomorrow.
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