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The Toronto Maple Leafs hope to maintain their recent hot streak on the weekend, starting in Pittsburgh on Saturday against the Stanley Cup Champion Penguins (who have won 10 straight home games), but may have to do it without defenseman Jake Gardiner.
The Leafs top scoring blueliner did not practice with teammates at the MasterCard Centre in Etobicoke on Friday, but is travelling with the club and his status will be determined Saturday morning.
“I plan on playing him (Saturday),” Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. “When I come in tomorrow, the(medical staff) will give me the news.
Gardiner suffered a lower body injury in the first period of the 6-3 victory over Columbus on Wednesday and did not return to the game. The Leafs finished the game with five defensemen, which was a contributing factor to them surrendering a season-high 57 shots.
At practice, Connor Carrick filled in for Gardiner with regular defense partner Nikita Zaitsev and also took a few turns with veteran Roman Polak.
The possibility of Gardiner playing on Saturday likely means that he will not be placed on injured reserve and could return against Detroit on Sunday if he is not ready for Pittsburgh.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs dealing forward Nikita Soshnikov to the St. Louis Blues for a fourth round pick in the 2019 Draft was a necessary move to alleviate the club’s season-long roster crunch ahead of the February 26th NHL Trade Deadline.
The 24-year-old winger had been on injured reserve since December and played just three games this season, but the Leafs kept Soshnikov on IR after completing a five-game conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies last weekend because activating him would have required the Leafs to clear a spot on the 23-man roster by demoting waiver-exempt rookies Kasperi Kapanen and Travis Dermott or placing Josh Leivo, Connor Carrick or Matt Martin on waivers.
“It’s important to Sosh that he gets a new lease on life and he does something with it.”
Babcock said on Friday. “We’re happy for Sosh that he got a good opportunity in a good organization."
Toronto was at the limit of 50 professional contracts with less than two weeks to go before the NHL Trade Deadline and the dealing Soshnikov gives GM Lou Lamoriello maneuvering room to acquire a player in an area of need.
Rumors continue to percolate that Toronto is looking for a fourth line center. The Leafs addressed depth up the middle at the deadline last season with the acquisition of Brian Boyle and according to TSN’s
Frank Seravelli, they may be looking that direction again. Toronto and Dallas have reportedly inquired about the availability of Red Wings center Luke Glendening.
With Dominic Moore and Tyler Bozak unrestricted free agents this summer, Toronto is undoubtedly looking for reinforcements up the middle.
Glendening played most of Babcock’s last two seasons in Detroit and the 28-year-old would appear to be a potential long-term solution as the Leafs fourth line center, since he is signed through the 2020-21 season at $1.8 Million AAV.
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