Toronto Maple Leafs Injury Update Heading into NHL Playoffs
The Toronto Maple Leafs currently have a few players on the mend as the team prepares for the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
When John Tavares and Jake Muzzin went down with injuries during last year’s playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs took a nosedive from the North Division’s top seed to a first round exit.
This year feels different as the Leafs have built a roster surrounded by organizational depth that has continued to win games throughout the season despite injuries to key players along the way like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Jake Muzzin and Jack Campbell.
Despite their depth, they may need all hands on deck to stand a chance against their first round opponent, the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion, Tampa Bay Lightning.
Here’s a slideshow update on the Leaf injury front at each position, and the likelihood that we’ll see each player during the playoffs:
Toronto Maple Leafs Injuries – Forwards
Michael Bunting
Michael Bunting has been out of the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup since April 23rd when he suffered an undisclosed injury during the Leafs 3-2 overtime loss to the league leading Florida Panthers.
Though the injury is “undisclosed” is seems like Bunting hurt his right leg after awkwardly twisting it while falling into the end boards. Bunting was seen shaking out his right leg as he skated to the bench on his own power.
Bunting resumed skating on Tuesday, and according to Sheldon Keefe, he’ll remain out of the lineup for the Toronto Maple Leafs final game of the NHL regular season against the Boston Bruins.
Michael Bunting is obviously a huge part of the Toronto Maple Leafs playing on the top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. I’d expect him to suit up for Game 1 of Toronto’s first round series against the reigning two-time champs, the Tampa Lightning, even if he’s not 100% healthy.
Ondřej Kaše
The Toronto Maple Leafs nominee for the Bill Masterton trophy, Ondřej Kaše has been on the LTIR since March 19th with his fifth documented concussion after receiving a hit to the head by Nashville Predators forward, Matt Duchene.
It was a real tough break for Kaše who was enjoying one of the NHL’s greatest comeback stories this season after only playing in three games last season due to injury while a member of the Boston Bruins.
Kaše is currently listed as day-to-day, but there is also not timeline on his return. He has been skating and pushing himself for a playoff return, but he wont be cleared to play until team doctors feel he’s at 100%.
Many fans felt Ondřej Kaše would retire after his concussion last season, and if he returns too soon, his next concussion may be his last. After missing over a month of hockey, and Kaše expressing his readiness, I feel that there’s a good chance he’ll return for the playoffs, but I can’t guarantee that it’ll be for Game 1.
Rodion Amirov
Diagnosed with a brain tumor in February, Rodion Amirov is about to start his second round of chemotherapy. He has been skating and some reports say he could return before the end of May, which is great news, but he obviously isn’t on the radar until at least next season.
Toronto Maple Leafs Injuries – Defensemen
Jake Muzzin
Muzzin returned to the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup again against the Detroit Wings on April 26th from an undisclosed injury not related to the concussions he suffered in January and February.
It’s great news since many consider Muzzin’s injuries during the last couple playoffs seasons to be the straw that broke the camels back for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Muzzin was regarded as one of the Leafs most irreplaceable players, but recent additions, Mark Giordano and Ilya Lyubushkin, and the emergence of Timothy Liljegren have taken some weight off of Muzzin’s shoulders.
Jake Muzzin still isn’t 100% and is still considered day-to-day. Sheldon Keefe expects Muzzin to play through the injury during the playoffs.
Rasmus Sandin
Rasmus Sandin has been on LTIR since March 19 with a knee injury he suffered in a game against the Nashville Predators, the same game that Ondřej Kaše suffered his concussion.
Sandin has been practicing with the team, and seems ready to return, but Sheldon Keefe says he’s unlikely to play in the Toronto Maple Leafs final regular season game against the Boston Bruins.
I’m wondering if Rasmus Sandin will sit out due to injury or due to the depth ahead of him in the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup. Adding Mark Giordano and Ilya Lyubushkin to the roster combined with Timothy Liljegren’s stellar play may have pushed Sandin out of a top six role on the Leafs blueline.
Toronto Maple Leafs Injuries – Goalies
Petr Mrázek
Petr Mrázek suffered a groin injury (his third of the season) during the Toronto Maple Leafs game against the Boston Bruins on March 29th and has been on LTIR ever since.
Mrázek has been skating for about a week now, but isn’t expected to return until around May 10th. He could return to play late in the first round, but he won’t be rushed unless Jack Campbell goes down with an injury or really struggles in net.
Joseph Woll
Toronto Marlies goaltender, Joseph Woll has been out with a shoulder injury since March 17th. There’s not much information out there about his progress, but typically a shoulder injury that doesn’t require surgery will need about six weeks to recover.
With the Toronto Marlies season ending this week without a playoff birth, it’s unlikely that Joseph Woll will see any action with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the playoffs unless there are a string of injuries to Jack Campbell, Erik Källgren and Petr Mrázek (when he returns).
When healthy, I feel Woll trumps Källgren on the Toronto Maple Leafs goalie depth chart, though it’s debatable. However, this late in the season, Erik Källgren would most likely see the net over Woll coming off an injury.
Carter Hutton
It appears that Carter Hutton has finally returned from an ankle injury that has kept him out since October 25th when he was a member of the Arizona Coyotes. Hutton was backup to Michael Hutchinson during the Toronto Marlies game against the Laval Rocket on April 27th.
I honestly didn’t think the 36 year-old goaltender would ever play again, but it’s great that he’s now available if the Leafs run into a string of more goalie injuries. I’m not sure if he’s ahead of Michael Hutchinson on the Leafs depth chart though.
Ian Scott
Since winning CHL Goaltender of the Year in 2019, Scott has had an extremely tough time staying healthy. He missed the entire 2019-20 season, and in 2020-21, he only played one AHL game and five ECHL games. So far this season, he has only played one game in the ECHL and it was back on January 22nd.
The injury is undisclosed, but it seems to be a reoccurring groin injury. My heart breaks for the once highly touted 23 year-old prospect. I wouldn’t blame him if he gave up and retired, but if he ever makes it to the NHL, he’s a shoo-in for the Masterton trophy.
Next. New Marlies Forward has Explosive Start. dark
After key players going down with injuries during their last couple playoff seasons, I hope the Leafs can stay healthy enough to win a round this year or at least have enough depth to get by. Go Leafs Go!