Dakota Joshua is back on the ice with the Toronto Maple Leafs, marking a significant step in his recovery journey. The forward participated in practice on Tuesday, the team's first since the NHL paused for the Olympic break. This comes after Joshua suffered a lacerated kidney during a game against the Detroit Red Wings on December 29.
Reflecting on his return, Joshua admitted, "A little rusty. You know, not the best, so still some ways to go," but he was clearly pleased to be back with his teammates.
The practice session was missing a few key players, with Olympians Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson absent. In their place, Calle Jarnkrok filled in for Nylander, while Joshua took Jarnkrok’s usual spot alongside Steven Lorentz and Scott Laughton.
Joshua joined the Leafs last summer from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in 2028. His integration into the team has been a work in progress. After a slow start to the season, he began finding his rhythm before his injury sidelined him.
Joshua explained, “It was a lot of rest and recovery. I couldn't really do much for a while there. Just waiting for it to heal back up to the point where I could start to work out again and now finally starting to skate again."
This kidney injury is just the latest challenge for Joshua, who previously overcame testicular cancer. Despite these setbacks, his resilience continues to shine through.
The Leafs are set to resume their season on February 25 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Head coach Craig Berube commented on Joshua's potential return, stating, “We’ll see where he gets to. He’s feeling good and ready to go, so we’ll see how it goes this week.”
Joshua has shown glimpses of being the impact depth player the Leafs hoped for, with six goals and four assists in 36 games this season. While the team may take their time reintegrating him into the lineup, any roster changes near the trade deadline could open up opportunities for his return.
With Joshua in the second year of a four-year contract, the Leafs have a vested interest in his recovery and return to form. As he continues to progress, the team and fans alike are hopeful for his impactful presence on the ice once more.