Superstar forward absent from Leafs practice, veteran scratched, rookie wearing number never before worn by a Leaf
After a much-deserved day off on Monday following a busy week, the Leafs returned to practice on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's game in Nashville. The Leafs were missing a pretty significant piece at practice, as Auston Matthews did not skate on Tuesday. I'd expect that Sheldon Keefe will provide an update following practice, but it's likely a maintenance day. Pierre Engvall skated in his place on the first line, so that's a pretty good sign, considering that he's surely a placeholder rather than a replacement.
As far as some potential line changes ahead of the road game against the Predators tomorrow night, Wayne Simmonds was back in extras grey at practice on Tuesday and rookie call-up Bobby McMann skated in a regular bottom-six white jersey, indicating that he could see game action.
McMann was spotted skating on Tuesday wearing a number never before worn by a Maple Leaf in the team's nearly 106-year history - #74. As we've seen in the past, just because a player wears a regular jersey, it doesn't necessarily mean that they'll play immediately. Both Conor Timmins and Dryden Hunt skated in regular jerseys at practice to get some reps in long before they actually played. Perhaps this situation is different in that McMann already knows the system, as the Marlies employ a lot of the same methods and principles as the Leafs do.
Everything should become a little more clear once Keefe speaks with the media following practice.
| POLL | ||
10 JANVIER | 562 ANSWERS Superstar forward absent from Leafs practice, veteran scratched, rookie wearing number never before worn by a Leaf Will Wayne Simmonds still be a Leaf after the deadline? | ||
| Yes | 256 | 45.6 % |
| No | 306 | 54.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
