An update on another injured Leafs blueliner
It's no secret that the Leafs have been banged up this season, particularly on the blueline, but with T.J. Brodie likely back on Thursday, the Buds are inching their way closer to a healthy compliment of blueliners. While Morgan Rielly will likely miss a few more weeks and Jake Muzzin's future up in the air, the Leafs will take any good news that they can get, large or small.
Aside from Brodie's probable return to action on Thursday, the Leafs also got a bit of an update on Jordie Benn, who was injured in New Jersey back on November 23rd. The 35-year-old veteran has been progressing well from what the Leafs are calling an "upper-body injury" and was back on the ice in Toronto, skating with the team's conditioning staff before practice.
Benn was originally expected to be one of the Leafs' depth defensemen this season, beginning the season in the AHL before receiving a look with the Leafs. Benn exceeded all expectations and, largely due to the injuries accumulating on the blueline for the Buds, wound up playing on the team's top pair with Morgan Rielly briefly.
Benn has recorded a goal and an assist for 2 points in 6 games with the Leafs this season, but what the team has really liked is Benn's experience, relentless effort and composure under pressure. He was originally given a "week-to-week" recovery timeline, so there's really no definitive return date for him. It's a good sign that he was working with the conditioning staff. Hopefully it means he won't miss too much more time.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 8 | 209 ANSWERS An update on another injured Leafs blueliner Will Jordie Benn make it back before the Christmas break? | ||
| Yes | 127 | 60.8 % |
| No | 82 | 39.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
