The Hits Just Keep Coming for the Maple Leafs: Another Absence Leads to Another AHL Recall
The Maple Leafs were forced to make yet another AHL recall due to an unexpected absence for Oliver Ekman-Larsson at Leafs practice on Friday morning.
The Leafs are in rough shape, health-wise, at the moment. With names like Auston Matthews, Max Pacioretty, Max Domi, David Kampf, Matthew Knies, and Calle Jarnkrok on the sidelines, the last thing this team needs is additional absences to further test their already depleted depth.
Unfortunately, with Oliver Ekman-Larsson being struck with a nasty illness, the Leafs were left with limited options.
The Leafs have recently had to recall a pair of rookies in Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin from the Toronto Marlies to be able to ice a full roster against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday.
Now, the team has had to recall defenseman Philippe Myers early from his conditioning loan as well to ensure that they have enough bodies on the blueline for Sunday's clash with the Utah Hockey Club.
After having been idle for a few weeks and only making his way into one game for the Leafs this season, Myers was assigned to the AHL's Toronto Marlies to be able to sharpen up his skills and stay warm. Thankfully for him, it didn't take too long to receive his recall, even if it was due to an unexpected illness.
The Maple Leafs still have a couple of days to decide who will play on Sunday against Utah, but with today's recall, it certainly appears as though they're planning for the scenario where OEL may miss at least one game.
