Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Maple Leafs may have to turn to a rookie option to solve the holes in their defense.
Toronto had been dealt another potential injury blow on the blueline as the Leafs lost defenseman Dakota Mermis in Monday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Mermis left in the third period of Toronto’s 2-0 win against Tampa Bay after a collision with Lightning forward Gage Goncalves.
Having had a knee-on-knee collision, it’s unclear the status of Mermis, who according to Leafs head coach Craig Berube will be evaluated.
Already out of the Leafs lineup on defense is Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo, and now potentially Mermis needing to be replaced as well.
But Toronto may be poised to give a promising youngster William Villeneuve a chance to show himself at the NHL level.
Why William Villeneuve deserves his NHL look
Currently, Villeneuve is out with an illness with his timeline unknown other than being week-to-week, but when he’s back, he may be worth being the Leafs eventual next man up.
William Villeneuve is a defenseman that has been one of the Leafs most promising youth options, but still has been awaited the chance at making his NHL debut.
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, 122nd overall, Villeneuve has spent this past season in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies, with two goals and 12 points in 20 games this season.
In his fourth NHL season, Villeneuve has shown the potential of being a projectable player at this level, but hasn’t gotten a shot despite being a key member of the Leafs.
It was reported by Hockey Patrol earlier in the season, citing a league source, that Villeneuve is among the players drafted before the arrival of GM Brad Treliving that have been usurped by players brought in under the new leadership.
Sources say that defensemen added under Treliving have been more trusted than Villeneuve, selected under Kyle Dubas, but the source stressed it doesn’t prevent Villeneuve from potentially getting his chance in Toronto.
Why the Leafs may be wise to choose Villeneuve over other options
Some fans believe that Villeneuve could be the best option to shake up the roster, and give the promising youngster a shot.
As well, some fans want to avoid a player such as Philippe Myers returning to the lineup, feeling that it is an experiment that hasn’t worked this season.
With Villeneuve currently out, another option could be defenseman in 24-year-old Henry Thrun, who has over 100 NHL games played, including 60 last season with San Jose.
Eventually, William Villeneuve has shown he deserves at least an NHL shot, otherwise another team might be poised to take him on and give him that chance instead.
Previously on Hockey Patrol
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It’s time for the Maple Leafs to finally call up William Villeneuve
Should William Villeneuve get an NHL look for the Leafs?