The Leafs are nearing the end of a five-day hiatus and will host the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. A lot has happened in practice today, so let’s wrap it all up.
After missing training on Tuesday due to illness, Alexander Kerfoot returned to the main group and restored balance in the universe.
Alex Kerfoot is on the ice before # Leaves practice in a regular white sweater.
He missed yesterday’s training with an illness.
– Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) February 3, 2021
Sheldon Keefe told reporters that Kerfoot was listed as commonplace So it makes sense that if he missed Thursday’s game, he wouldn’t be out long. It seems that everything that bothered him is only a memory and should return to its usual place as the center of the third line.
Sandin leaves early because of Engvall
Rasmus Sandin said he was frustrated not having been included in the Leafs roster for the first ten games. Pucking a puck in the face and ending the practice early doesn’t help.
Rasmus Sandin is leaving # Leaves train early after Pierre Engvall shot him in the face with a close range shot. Ouch.
– Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) February 3, 2021
A pretty unfortunate result for everyone involved, and it could keep Sandin out of the line-up for longer. There have been no updates from the Leafs regarding his health so we’ll have to wait and see how it plays out.
Pierre Engvall owes his countrymen a steak meal.
Petan slips into the fourth line
The Leafs made some adjustments to the roster during practice that resulted in a man who hadn’t played an NHL game in over a year cracked the line-up.
Leafs lines in practice
Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Nylander-Tavares-Simmonds
Vesey-Kerfoot-Mikheyev
Petan-Boyd-Spezza
Extra: Barabanov, Brooks, EngvallLeaves D.
Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Dermott-Bogosian
Lehtonen-Sandin– David Alter (@dalter) February 3, 2021
Nic Petan doesn’t have much of an impact on the Leafs just yet, and although he’s approaching his 26th birthday, his game has some upside potential. Hopefully he’s fine Travis Boyd and Jason SpezzaBoth made a good start to the 2021 season.
With Wayne Simmonds Ascent to John Tavares Line, Ilya Mikheyev goes back to the third line where he will look for his first of the season. And it looks like the Leafs are about to return Travis Dermott With Mikko Lehtonen I’m still trying to be comfortable in the NHL.
Unless something changes at the last minute, the Toronto group will face the Canucks on Thursday.
