Monday saw the Maple Leafs skip practice, but Craig Berube speak to the media where he hinted at a possible promotion for Fraser Minten to help solve their issues at center.
Minten returned to action last weekend after being out since the 2024 Prospects Showcase after he suffered a high ankle sprain.
The injury to David Kampf was unexpected, but his trip to injured reserve was retroactive to November 16th. The Czech forward is dealing with a lower-body injury.
Since returning to action and making his pro debut, Minten has registered 2 goals and 4 points in 5 games for the Marlies. Without Auston Matthews, who is dealing with a mysterious upper-body injury, Calle Jarnkrok, who had sports hernia surgery, and now Kampf, the Leafs are remarkably thin down the middle of the ice.
With Kampf being placed on IR retroactively, he will be eligible to return to the lineup for Sunday's game against the Utah Hockey Club, if healthy, meaning that Minten's audition this season may last just 1 game.
While the Leafs have been hit hard by the injury bug up front, the silver-lining is that it is giving GM Brad Treliving and coach Craig Berube a chance to look at the depth the team has in the organization and determine if a move is required sooner rather than later.
POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 19 | 2628 ANSWERS David Kampf on Injured Reserve; Maple Leafs Recall Top Prospect from Marlies How many games will Minten play with the Leafs during his recall? | ||
1 game | 93 | 3.5 % |
2-10 games | 1909 | 72.6 % |
11-30 games | 321 | 12.2 % |
He'll stay with the team the rest of the year | 305 | 11.6 % |
List of polls |