Kirill Marchenko’s return is still not close enough for the Maple Leafs to feel good about it.
Marchenko told fans after going down against the Calgary Flames on Oct. 26 that he expected to be back in two weeks, but Darren Dreger’s latest update suggests Toronto is still waiting. On TSN’s First Up on Friday, Dreger said the winger remains a couple of weeks away from resuming hockey activities.
“They could certainly use him back in the mix just to try and straighten out some of the lines, so Jim Hiller doesn’t have the extra-large blender out there every single night.
Yesterday, I was told it would be two more weeks, so we’ll see. But that doesn’t help them now, and it won’t help them through this stretch.”
That timeline means the Maple Leafs are staring at roughly a month without Marchenko, and that’s a tough stretch for a team that has already felt the loss. He had 14 points in 14 games before getting hurt, driving the second line, helping the power play, and giving Toronto a steady offensive spark.
There is at least some good news on the injury front. The Maple Leafs are getting healthier overall, and John Tavares is expected back either Saturday against Montreal or Sunday against New Jersey.
Still, Tavares’ return doesn’t replace what Marchenko brings. Toronto has missed the winger’s offense and the kind of game-changing ability that can tilt a night. If the Maple Leafs want to stay on track in the toughest division in hockey, they need Marchenko back as soon as possible, even if he can’t be rushed.
In Other News...
Maple Leafs May Have Found A Real Mitch Marner Successor
The Maple Leafs have spent plenty of time looking for the right fit beside Auston Matthews, and Jack Roslovic has at least given them a compelling answer early in the season. Slotted onto Torontos top line with Matthews and Kirill Marchenko, Roslovic has looked comfortable in an elevated role and has brought the kind of pace and finishing touch that can change the feel of a line in a hurry.
Through 17 games, Roslovic has already piled up eight goals and 10 assists, putting him on track for a career-best offensive season. The next wrinkle is how Toronto handles the line when Marchenko is ready to return from a lower-body injury, because the Leafs now have to figure out whether this alignment is a short-term spark or something worth keeping intact. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Rookie Faces A New Test As Tavares Nears Return
Gavin McKennas role has shifted again as the Maple Leafs start to get healthier, with the rookie no longer working on the top power-play group and settling into a prominent spot on the second unit. It is the kind of adjustment that comes with playing on a contender, where one lineup change can ripple through the special teams setup and force a young player to keep finding ways to stay useful.
Jim Hiller has pointed to McKennas growth, especially away from the puck, as a reason the coaching staff still trusts him in an important spot. The timing matters because John Tavares is nearing a return, and the Leafs are preparing for a familiar kind of squeeze that comes when a veteran center is ready to rejoin the mix and everyone else has to adapt around him. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Face A Costly Dilemma In Pursuit Of Simon Edvinsson
The Maple Leafs are again being linked to a big swing on the blue line, with Detroit defenseman Simon Edvinsson emerging as a possible target as Toronto weighs how aggressive it wants to be. The appeal is obvious: Edvinsson is a young, high-end defender who could fit a long-term need, but any pursuit would come with the usual Toronto problem of paying a premium in both trade assets and future flexibility.
There is still no confirmation of official talks or an agreement between the clubs, but the cost of even getting into the conversation looks steep. Edvinsson is currently without a contract and is believed to be chasing a major extension, which only adds another layer to the dilemma for Toronto as it tries to decide whether the fit is worth the price. [Read more 🡒]