Toronto Maple Leafs News Update

Injury Report

Morgan Rielly – If Rielly has no setbacks in his recovery from a fractured foot, then he should be able to return around the second week of March.

Cody Ceci – Ceci has been placed on Long Term Injury Reserve (LTIR). There is no timetable for his return. It is not likely that he would return until after the Playoffs start.

Ilya Mikheyev – On February 10th, Mikheyev skated for the first time since suffering a laceration to his wrist on December 27th. Mikheyev is still on pace to return sometime in April.

Andreas Johnsson – Johnsson injured his knee on February 13th when he collided with teammate Kasperi Kapanen. The injury does require surgery and Johnsson will be out for at least eight weeks. The Maple Leafs have placed Johnsson on LTIR.

With a number of players on LTIR until Playoff time, the Maple Leafs currently have close to $8.8 million in cap space. Player salaries do not count against the salary cap once the playoffs start. So it is possible for the Maple Leafs to upgrade using the available $8.8 million. This also allows injured players to return as long as they do so after the playoffs have started.

Milestones

Timothy Liljegren – Liljegren recorded his first NHL point with an assist on Jake Muzzin’s second-period goal against Ottawa on February 15th.

Egor Korshkov – Korshkov scored his first NHL goal against the Buffalo Sabres on February 16th. The goal is also his first NHL point.

John Tavares – On February 8th, Tavares played in his 800th NHL game.

Contract Talks

It was reported by Darren Dreger from TSN on February 13th that the Maple Leafs were getting close to a contract extension for Jake Muzzin. The speculation is that it will be a 4 year deal in the neighbourhood of $5-$5.5 million. On February 15th Chris Johnson from Sportsnet added: “You can only commit so much salary to the season following the one you’re in, but that amount goes up by 10 percent on March 1.” So depending on how much the Maple Leafs plan on increasing Muzzin’s salary will depend on when this deal gets done.

Final Thoughts

With the trade deadline only six days away, I would like to see the Maple Leafs use their $8.8 million from LTIR to upgrade this team. It has been great seeing Auston Matthews and William Nylander having career years. Also just as exciting is the rise of talent joining the Maple Leafs from the Toronto Marlies. Hopefully, the Maple Leafs can get Jake Muzzin signed sooner rather than later. If they can get him under contract before the trade deadline it will give them a better understanding of how much they have available for next season.

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