Maple Leafs Hit With More Injury Troubles

The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced they will be without defenseman Jake Muzzin and forwards Zach Hyman and Joe Thornton for Monday's game against the Calgary Flames. There's certainly a chance all three miss multiple games. 

Jake Muzzin has a broken bone in his face ... will miss some time, but awaiting diagnosis ... could be day-to-day ... will need to come back with shield

Zach Hyman is out ... day-to-day

Joe Thornton is out ... day-to-day

Petan, Barabanov & Lehtonen draw in@TSN_Edge

— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) February 22, 2021

Muzzin's injury, the Leafs hope, is only going to be for a week or so as they await the word from team doctors. Meanwhile Hyman who missed one game with a bone bruise came back on Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens and got hammered with another shot in what looked like the same foot. 

As for Thornton, the veteran missed some time with a rib injury and came back to light it up with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. His absence is certainly a hit to the team's top line but could give head coach Sheldon Keefe a chance to take a look at some other left-wingers in the role. This could be a great opportunity for Ilya Mikheyev to step onto the first-line and produce.

Expect the Leafs to slot defenseman Travis Dermott into a top-4 role while Muzzin is out, which is a great chance for the young defenseman to showcase his worth to the franchise.

Photo credit: Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire 

 

Sheldon Keefe calls this a "great opportunity" for Travis Dermott ... something he's been waiting for ... has a chance to "take a big step"

Gets a chance in the top four with Jake Muzzin out@TSN_Edge

— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) February 22, 2021