Back from the road trip of shame, the Leafs hit the ice today for a practice ahead of tomorrow’s game vs the Flyers.
Matt Murray (adductor) on the ice ahead of Leafs practice
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 1, 2022
Sustained injury on Oct. 15 with minimum four week timeline @TSN_Edge pic.twitter.com/fn9c4SZfMg
At the same time, the conditioning loans to the AHL for Timothy Liljegren and Jordie Benn have expired, so the Leafs would need to request an extension for two days to have them remain in the AHL. That seems not to be the case for Liljegren, as he is listed as back on LTIR per Cap Friendly. Jordie Benn may be remaining with the Marlies. They play tomorrow as well, in Laval.
The Leafs have also sent Wayne Simmonds (still waivers exempt from the last time) to the AHL, while Pontus Holmberg has been recalled. Simmonds is not likely to be travelling to Laval, and this is just a paper transaction on his end.
For Holmberg, it looks like he’ll be in the game on Wednesday.
Pontus Holmberg, called up today, in a regulars white jersey for practice. pic.twitter.com/3nlnPyMYVP
— David Alter (@dalter) November 1, 2022
The scratches:
Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Nick Robertson in grey scratches sweaters as Leafs practice gets underway @TSN_Edge
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 1, 2022
Liljegren was skating with the Leafs today, but is not eligible to return to NHL action yet:
Lines at Leafs practice
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 1, 2022
Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Kerfoot - Tavares - Nylander
Engvall - Holmberg - Jarnkrok
Aston-Reese - Kampf - Malgin
Robertson, Aube-Kubel
Rielly - Mete
Brodie - Holl
Giordano - Sandin
Kral - Liljegren
Samsonov
Kallgren @TSN_Edge pic.twitter.com/nuZEvDDWQ7
Very interesting to see Holmberg on the third line, but in most games those bottom two lines play interchangeable amounts of minutes.
You will see a lot of opinions out there on Holmberg’s play in the AHL lately, and I haven’t watched him, but the reports of no points to speak of while being the best forward on the team ring very true for his career. Which is to say, he’s not there to show off the sick hands. He’s there to do all those fundamentals the Leafs have been failing at pretty hard so far this year.
We’ll see how this goes tomorrow.