INJURY UPDATE
Per Randy Carlyle:
David Booth - fractured foot, out 4 weeks David Clarkson - partially fractured orbital bone, could return by Friday Cody Franson - bruised knee, waiting for swelling to go down to access severity Henrik Tallinder - has left the team to deal with dislocated shoulder injury
*******
The Maple Leafs have decreased their roster to 29 players on Monday, as forwards Troy Bodie, Petri Kontiola and Sam Carrick, defenseman Petter Granberg and goalie Antoine Bibeau have been sent to the Toronto Marlies.
Kontiola, Carrick, Granberg and Bibeau all are exempt from waivers, but Bodie will have to clear waivers to be assigned to the Marlies.
2013 first rounder Frederik Gauthier(who did not play in training camp after suffering a rib injury at the rookie tournament two weeks ago) and injured 2014 third rounder Rinat Valiev have been sent back to their respective junior clubs.
Defenseman Henrik Tallinder has been released from his professional tryout contract.
*******
The Toronto Maple Leafs off-season plan to add veteran depth at forward and defense to add offensive contribution and consistency has been put to the test even before the start of the regular season, as a number of new players have failed to make an impression in training camp and four players expected to make significant contributions were lost to injury during the weekend home-and-home series against the Buffalo Sabres.
David Clarkson suffered a swollen eye and possible orbital bone damage thanks to a Cody McCormick left hand on Friday and David Booth has a bruised foot during a penalty kill in the first period Sunday. These injuries would be a concern by themselves, but coupled with the barely noticeable play of Petri Kontiola, Carter Ashton(who both did not play in the weekend games), Mike Santorelli and Matt Frattin, it may result in youngsters Josh Leivo and Brandon Kozun having a legitimate chance to make the team.
The injuries on the blueline are even more concerning, as the Leafs lost veteran defenseman Henrik Tallinder to a dislocated shoulder in Buffalo and Cody Franson to a leg injury in the third period of Sunday’s 3-2 shootout victory at Air Canada Center.
Tallinder was on a tryout invite to training camp, but it was clear from head coach Randy Carlyle’s comments about the 12-year NHL veteran that he had the inside track to make the club as a depth defenseman over younger, inexperienced pros Petter Granberg, Stuart Percy or Korbinian Holzer.
Franson fell awkwardly into the end boards and could not skate to the dressing room without assistance after appearing to catch a rut near the goal crease and receiving a push from Buffalo forward Torrey Mitchell.
“He(Franson) fell pretty hard.… Head coach Randy Carlyle said after the game. “It looked like he hit his knee cap or some part of a leg that went underneath him and went into the boards first.…
The injury to Franson (the Leafs leading defensive scorer the last two seasons) is especially concerning, with his quick accurate shot being an integral part of the Leafs power play. A prolonged absence would put more pressure on veteran Stephane Robidas, who was just cleared for contact over the weekend after suffering two broken legs last season, as well as youngsters Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner to pick up the offensive burden.
With the demotion of Granberg on Monday, the beneficiary of Franson’s misfortune appears to be 2011 first rounder Percy, who may step into the Leafs top six and force team captain Dion Phaneuf to move to the right side. Holzer, who played 22 games in the NHL in 2013,made a couple glaring defensive errors against Buffalo over the weekend, which reinforces the belief that the very capable AHL defenseman does not have the ability to play effectively in the NHL.
It also opens up the possibility of GM Dave Nonis scanning the waiver wire for a blueliner or searching the league for a trade. The Leafs have enough depth at forward to make a swap for a depth defenseman.
Players like Ashton require waivers to be sent back to the AHL and would be at risk of being claimed. Making less than $1 Million on a two-way deal, the former Tampa Bay first rounder could be a player that other NHL clubs looking for an inexpensive depth forward might be willing to take a chance on.
*******
The Leafs play the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena on Monday. James Reimer is expected to get the start in goal.
Here is the lineup tonight courtesy of the Star's Kevin McGran:
Here's #leafs roster. No Kessel. And I'm pretty sure Bodie is not making the trip. pic.twitter.com/iXJvNcTpJd
— Kevin McGran (@kevin_mcgran) September 29, 2014*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page.*******
For Those on Twitter: Follow @mikeinbuffalo
KINDLE USERS: Please sign up for Maple Leafs Buzz, which includes a free-of-charge 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month afterwards. For more information click here.