See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source
Whether the Maple Leafs have a fully healthy lineup for the regular season remains to be seen.
Maybe don’t count on it, though.
Dakota Joshua continues to work his way back from an unspecified injury and coach Jim Hiller said on Monday that he didn’t know if the 30-year-old winger would be available when the Leafs open the 2026-27 NHL season at home against the Montreal Canadiens on Sept. 29.
“I won’t get into any specifics, but I know he has been dealing with something and he was up and running, but just felt like maybe he just didn’t have enough time to really get full-speed skating, catching his wind, all that kind of stuff,” Hiller said. “He’s not quite there yet.”
Joshua skated with the Toronto Marlies group on Monday. Bo Groulx was moved up to the Leafs group and skated as the 13th forward.
“Just a solid player, a really smart player, from what I can see,” Hiller said of Groulx. “Good shot. He’s a guy who knows how to play.”
It’s not an ideal situation, obviously, for Joshua, considering the changes that general manager John Chayka made during the off-season. Never mind that the shorter camp and fewer pre-season games leaves less time to make an impression or trying to gel with new linemates.
Joshua started the on-ice camp sessions last Thursday on the fourth line with two new Leafs — centre Teddy Blueger and Brandon Duhaime But Joshua didn’t play in either split-squad game against the Canadiens on Saturday.
Steven Lorentz was in Joshua’s spot on the fourth line on Monday.
X: @koshtorontosun