Sheldon Keefe reveals reasons for the absences of two Leafs forwards
Radim Zohorna was called up on an emergency basis because the Toronto Maple Leafs were short a few players. Wayne Simmonds was absent from practice, Noel Acciari left before the main workout, and Erik Gustafsson remained away for personal reasons.
Sheldon Keefe revealed the reasons behind Simmonds and Acciari's absences with the former being sick and the latter not available due to a strange and concerning injury. The Leafs are 50/50 on Simmonds' availability for their next game and indicated that they would make a decision later today.
Noel Acciari, on the other hand, hasn't suited up since the 26th of March in a game against the Nashville Predators and has been ruled out for both games this weekend - Saturday at Ottawa and Sunday versus Detroit - with a neck/whiplash injury.
Calle Jarnkrok, Auston Matthews, and Mitch Marner remained the top line at today's pracrice with Alex Kerfoot, John Tavares, and William Nylander rounding out the top-6. Michael Bunting, David Kampf, and Sam Lafferty formed the third trio, while Zach Aston-Reese was skating with Ryan O'Reilly - in a red non sweater and practicing with the team for the first since since March 4th - and Radim Zohorna on the fourth line.
With the Leafs having 8 able-bodied defenseman, look for another 11/7 formation if Wayne Simmonds is indeed ruled out.
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