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If it had been the normal aftermath of a match at Scotiabank Arena, the post-game grilling of the Toronto Maple Leafs would have been about blowing a one-goal lead to the New York Islanders late in the third period and losing their fifth game in overtime this season, but the focus after the 3-2 loss on Monday night was about the status of defenseman Morgan Rielly, who collided awkwardly with Isles forward Kyle Palmieri early in the third period and did not return.
Rielly and Palmieri collide
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) November 22, 2022
both look okay pic.twitter.com/YhcGi0x23V
Rielly and Palmieri inadvertently went knee-on-knee at the Islanders blueline and both laid on the ice after the collision. Rielly went to the bench, and attempted to return but was in too much discomfort to continue.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated after the game that Rielly would have an MRI done on Tuesday to determine the extent of the injury, but the club announced early Tuesday morning that Rielly has been placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) and that defensemen Victor Mete and Mac Hollowell have been called up from the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.
Rielly going on LTIR means he will miss a minimum of 10 games and 24 days. TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that the injury could be a Grade 1 or 2 injury to the medial collateral ligament in his left knee, with a probable recovery time of four to six weeks.
This is almost a best-case scenario for Toronto since there was some concern after the odd collision of a more serious season-ending injury. Rielly suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in 2011, while playing junior with the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors.
In the short term, the Leafs are now without their top three defensemen. Jake Muzzin is likely out for the season with a cervical spine injury and TJ Brodie is slow to recover from an oblique injury. This will likely mean leaning heavily on veterans Mark Giordano, Justin Holl, and heaping big minutes on Timothy Liljegren and Rasmus Sandin.
It also opens up the possibility of GM Kyle Dubas seeking reinforcements via trade. On the most recent ‘32 Thoughts’ podcast, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek mentioned the Leafs potential interest in Arizona blueliner Conor Timmins.
The St. Catharines, ON native was part of the deal between Colorado and the Coyotes that sent goaltender Darcy Kuemper to the Avs in July 2021. The 24-year-old missed most of 2021-22 with a knee injury and is currently with AHL Tuscon on a conditioning stint. Timmins played alongside Rasmus Sandin with the Soo Greyhounds, and his injury history would likely limit the cost in a potential trade.
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