Maple Leafs see reinforcements as three key skaters return to the ice
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As the Maple Leafs returned to practice ahead of the post-Olympic schedule, they saw three important players take part including a long-injured veteran.
Although the Olympics are in full swing, the NHL is still on pause though teams are back in business as they are making roster moves, and getting prepared for the post-Olympic break.
Teams could start practicing on Tuesday and the Toronto Maple Leafs were itching to get back on the ice and look ready to make a push and ride the momentum of their three-game win streak (and maybe an Auston Matthews gold medal too).
Maple Leafs get critical reinforcements ahead of post-Olympic push
While we saw the regular faces take part, there were also three key players who also saw the ice and while there is no guarantee for their return soon — their presence alone is a massive boost.
Chris Tanev, Dakota Joshua, and Morgan Rielly were all seen skating on Tuesday in a positive step towards their eventual returns:
He has only two assists in 11 games this season after missing the majority with separate injuries including two concussions in the span of a week.
Joshua explained that is isn’t sure when he is set to return and wants to use the week to see if he can maybe make a return when the Leafs get back to business:
We’ll see how this week goes.
He’s posted 10 points (6 goals, 4 assists) in 36 games while adding 127 hits and only 25 PIM in his first season with Toronto.
Rielly, who was absent the two games prior to the break was also seen skating with the group as was Joshua; and while the Maple Leafs have been pretty good without him, if he can keep things safer defensively and start producing more — it could be a huge boost to the team overall.
The long-time Maple Leaf defender has 31 points in 54 games (7 goals, 24 assists) so far in a solid albeit defensively regressive season.
Toronto plays their first game back on Feb. 25h so there is still a week before they see the ice so for a player like Rielly, he could be back as soon as then meanwhile it will likely be longer for Tanev and Joshua.
All in all, it’s a positive sign towards three key pieces of the Maple Leafs lineup returning and possibly just when they need them the absolute most down the stretch.
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Maple Leafs see reinforcements as three key skaters return to the ice
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