NHL Injury Update: Toronto Maple Leafs may need to look at defense options if injury problems continue

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been facing a massive blow with growing concerns related to their injury problems if that continues to persist for the defensive players, and the situation may force the team to look for help from other teams before the NHL trade deadline. The club has apparently avoided another potential disruptive injury to their blueline, but despite the positive news, it may still be in their best interest to explore the trade market for upgrades to their defense core.

Though the Toronto Maple Leafs have been able to bounce back from a troubling start, which pushed them to the bottom of the Eastern Conference in late November, going 5-1-2 in their last eight games to bring them within range of the top three in the Atlantic Division and the two wild-card spots. However, with the growing injury problems, the team is now planning to rely on their defense options now for the upcoming matches.

Toronto Maple Leafs planning to resort to defense options amidst rising injury issues

As injury issues are rising due to the ongoing matches, the Toronto Maple Leafs are currently planning to bring of their defense options to bolster the strength of the team. The season has been a little tough for the team as Toronto has been hampered by injuries throughout the season, with team captain Auston Matthews, winger Matthew Knies, and goalies Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll who have been sidelined due to potential injury and major surgeries related to their injuries.

Even, the club's most of the blueliners like Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo have been out long-term, and depth defender Dakota Mermis is out indefinitely after taking a knee-to-knee hit from Tampa Bay's Gage Goncalves on Monday.


Meanwhile, the club has managed to dodge a bullet on Thursday after Ekman-Larsson suffered a lower-body problem that prompted the player to leave the game. However, fortunately, Head coach Craig Berube has assured that Ekman-Larsson would be evaluated further, and the team hopes it is not serious.

Several other defense players on the Leafs roster have also been unavailable, including players like Chris Tanev, who has been away due to an upper-body injury, and Brandon Carlo is out after foot surgery that will keep him sidelined for several weeks.

With several players sidelined due to injury and surgery, the Leafs are managing with a defensive group that includes Ekman-Larsson, Morgan Rielly, Jake McCabe, Simon Benoit, Philippe Myers, Troy Stecher, and young player Henry Thrun. However, the team’s depth is weak because of player crisis, and this looks worrisome for the rest of the season if the players do not return to the club as per their expected timeline.

Also read: NHL Player Update: Quinn Hughes’ agent sends clear message on contract after trade to Minnesota Wild | NHL News - The Times of India


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