Injury Confirmed for Maple Leafs Defenseman Morgan Rielly
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Maple Leafs’ defensive depth faces an early test as injuries to Chris Tanev and Morgan Rielly shake up Toronto’s blue line during a concerning stretch of hockey.After a tough loss to the New Jersey Devils, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ injury troubles have only gotten worse. Key defenseman Chris Tanev, who left the game after a collision, was officially placed on injured reserve today.
The bad news for the Maple Leafs didn’t stop there, unfortunately. There appears to be another injury to another key blueliner in Toronto.
Toronto’s Blueline Faces Early Depth Test
Head coach Craig Berube announced this morning that Morgan Rielly, the Leafs’ longest-tenured player, is also questionable for tomorrow’s matchup against the Buffalo Sabres.
Rielly picked up an injury sometime in that same game against New Jersey, and while it’s not confirmed to be serious, it’s still a major concern.
Losing Tanev was already a huge blow. He’s been the Leafs’ most defensively reliable player this season, anchoring a core that leans older and slower. But losing Rielly, the team’s top defenseman and one of their fastest skaters, could push Toronto’s depth to the limit.
If both remain sidelined, Berube may have to lean on depth options like Dakota Mermis or Philippe Myers, which isn’t ideal for a struggling team with aspirations of turning things around imminently.
Reilly did skate on his own this morning, offering Leafs Nation a bit of relief knowing he’s back on the ice and that issue might be minor, but it’s still not a necessarily encouraging sign.
It also wouldn’t be surprising if general manager Brad Treliving makes a quick move
or waiver claim to bring in another depth defender For added insurance — possibly someone like Erik Gustafsson, who is said to be on the trading block for Detroit.
The next few games might offer some breathing room, with back-to-back matchups against Buffalo followed by Columbus and Calgary. But those games could go either way.
The Leafs need wins right now, and if their depleted blueline can’t hold up, another storm of issues could be right around the corner.
Previously on Maple Leafs Daily
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