Toronto Maple Leafs: Mitch Marner Returns to Practice, Complicates Lineup
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner returned to practice today.
The upcoming return of the Toronto Maple Leafs star forward can be considered an early holiday gift, one the team was aching for.
Marner, who’s been out after sustaining an ankle injury against Philadelphia on November the 9th, participated in his first full practice after being injured. He skated without the red non-contact jersey, meaning his return is soon upon us.
Aside from the news being great for the team, it’s also great news for Toronto Maple Leafs captain, John Tavares, who will get back his 94 point sidekick.
Regardless, the news is also complicating for Sheldon Keefe, who now has to scratch someone from the line-up.
The “Leivo” Conundrum
Marner’s return puts Keefe in an awkward spot. Obviously, Marner will be inserted on the Tavares line when returning, but from there it’s get complicated. Under Keefe, all the bottom-six wingers have had an important part in the process of getting better, especially on the forecheck and PK.
Nonetheless, with Marner returning to the line-up, someone will be scratched.
Loaning Pierre Engvall to the Toronto Marlies would be the easy option, however, his physical presence on the penalty kill and the forecheck have been good. It’s no coincidence the PK was flawless in the back-to-back series against Buffalo.
With Jason Spezza already in a “Leivo” role as a regular healthy scratch, it’s tight, which is good, of course. Opting to either add Nic Petan and Dmytro Timashov to that role or trying to waive them to loan to the Marlies seem unlikely.
Which is disappointing, Engvall is a player Keefe trusts and builds on, much like Zach Hyman was under Babcock.
Tradeblock?
The Toronto Maple Leafs could also opt to solve their crowded winger situation by trading a winger, in which case Hyman should have a suitcase ready by the door.
An undisputed top-six forward under Mike Babcock and essential for his system, Hyman is under classified for system Keefe is implementing, which is based on skill. For a bottom-six role, in which Hyman would fit under Keefe, his salary is pressing under an already maximum pressurized cap hit.
Another player who could be on the trade block soon is non-other than Kasperi Kapanen. Already moved from the Tavares line due to lack of chemistry with Tavares and Marner, he now plays on the third line with Kerfoot.
If Kapanen is on the third line, it’s questionable if he’ll be worth his cap-hit.
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Regardless of what the Toronto Maple Leafs do, they have more good players than available spots.