Leafs facing a shortage of bodies that may force them to play short-handed on Wednesday
Much like we have seen with other teams around the league over the past two seasons, the Leafs may be forced to play short-handed, should their game on December 29th go on as planned.
With the Maple Leafs currently having 13 players in COVID-19 protocol, Leafs GM Kyle Dubas revealed on Sunday that if the team's next scheduled game occurs as planned on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, they'll be short a goalie and a defenseman.
"We don't have any NHL contracted players to call up to meet that requirement," Dubas said on Sunday, according to The Athletic's Joshua Kloke. Dubas also stated that their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies have 24 players in COVID protocol.
The NHL and NHLPA are currently working on a COVID-19 roster protection plan that would allow teams some leeway with the salary cap and prevent them from entering into games short the necessary bodies, but at this point in time, nothing has been finalized, leaving the Leafs' fate up in the air for Wednesday.
With Jack Campbell and Petr Mrazek both in protocol and Ian Scott still on IR, the Leafs may end up having to utilize an emergency backup goalie, much like they did earlier this season when Alex Bishop stepped in to be a backup goalie for the Buds.
There's still a few days remaining before the Leafs' next game, so perhaps they will have some guys who are currently in protocol become eligible to rejoin the team. If not, the Buds may be forced to go to work down a couple of bodies.
