Over the past eight months, the Toronto Maple Leafs have only played six games.
When the NHL went on pause on March 12th, the Toronto Maple Leafs went 140 days between their last game against the Lightning and their first exhibition game back against the Canadiens. Toronto was off for 20 weeks and in that period, a couple of key members of their lineup were able to rehab significant injuries and return to full health in time for the playoffs.
Jake Muzzin and Ilya Mikheyev both suffered serious injuries during the 2019-20 regular season and there were doubts as to whether they would be able to dress for the Leafs come the start of the 2020 playoffs. The two players put in the effort day in and day out and were able to make it back in time for Leafs come opening night.
With another 145 days from game five against the Columbus Blue Jackets until the start of the 2021 season, assuming the NHL returns January 1st, a new group of key Toronto Maple Leafs are going to have the same opportunity as Muzzin and Mikheyev did to rest their bodies, and minds and return at 100%.
And with that, let’s head onto our list.