Toronto Maple Leafs provide latest update on star defenseman’s injury

Toronto Maple Leafs are navigating a challenging season plagued by injuries to key players, and their struggles continued as star defenseman Morgan Rielly was sidelined during recent action.

Rielly sustained an injury in Toronto’s 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, ending a six-game winless streak, but at the cost of losing one of their top defenders.

Rielly out for upcoming games

Following the incident, Maple Leafs confirmed that Rielly will miss Monday’s game against the Calgary Flames during their ongoing road trip. Head coach Craig Berube provided an update, noting the uncertainty surrounding a return:

“It’s a loss for the team, him not being there tonight. He is still being evaluated, so I can’t answer the question right now.”

Berube added that the injury is not entirely new:

“It was in-game. He left the bench, went behind, came back, and tried it again. There was nothing he could do. This has been lingering with him for a bit. We haven’t mentioned it, but it has been going on for a bit, this issue. It has obviously gotten worse.”

Rielly will also sit out Toronto Maple Leafs’ matchup against the Edmonton Oilers, which is the team’s final game before the schedule pauses for the Winter Olympics break.

Impact on a struggling Leafs squad

Maple Leafs have already faced setbacks this season with injuries to Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Chris Tanev, and Anthony Stolarz, forcing the team to adjust lineups and rotations constantly.

Rielly’s absence leaves a significant gap on the blue line, as he plays a pivotal role in both defensive coverage and offensive contributions from the back end.

Toronto’s coaching staff will need to rely on depth players and call-ups to maintain competitiveness in the lead-up to the Olympic hiatus.

The team’s ability to weather these injuries will be critical in sustaining momentum and positioning themselves for a strong finish to the regular season.

With Rielly’s recovery timeline still uncertain, Toronto Maple Leafs face a continued challenge balancing player health with on-ice performance as they navigate a pivotal stretch of games.