With NHL games resuming this week after the NHL All-Star break, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager (GM) Kyle Dubas met with the media for the first time since early November. The vibe around the team is very different from what it was three months ago, so this media availability focused more on the status of injuries and the trade deadline, with a little contract talk sprinkled in.
Now, it’s important not to take what Dubas says at face value, considering we’re still a few weeks from the deadline. That, and he’s not going to be telling a few reporters his deadline plans. But still, considering it’s rare that we get to hear from the GM, here’s a recap of his press conference and the important takeaways.
Injury Update: Muzzin, Matthews, and Murray
I call it an injury update, but there weren’t many updates to be had. Dubas said that there was nothing new about Jake Muzzin’s situation other than he’ll meet with his specialist later this month. It’s the same tune for Auston Matthews, who won’t be returning to action until he’s skating in a full-contact jersey. He was wearing no-contact red at Thursday’s practice.
Finally, Dubas confirmed that goaltender Matt Murray is week-to-week with an ankle injury and in a subsequent move, announced the call-up of goaltender Joseph Woll from the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Toronto Marlies. This likely means Ilya Samsonov will have the net for at least February, with the exceptions of some back-to-backs. The Russian netminder currently has a 17-6-2 record, with a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.42 and a save percentage (SV%) of .913, and his best stretch of the season came early on when Murray suffered his groin injury, and he had the net to himself.
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The Maple Leafs have a 9-5-0 record without Matthews, dating back to last season, so that’s not all that much of a concern. But if they don’t get a positive update on Muzzin’s injury after his appointment, that will impact Dubas’ trade deadline plans. There are several defensemen up for grabs on the market and a few who play a similar style, and Muzzin’s role will need to be filled if he’s not fit to play down the stretch.
Maple Leafs Won’t Move Prime Assets For a Rental
Some people might assume it means Dubas won’t be big-game hunting at the deadline. But, when you look at the list of players the Maple Leafs…
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