With an injury depleted defense corps, who have struggled mightily of late, Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas has recalled another defenseman from the AHL Toronto Marlies.
Following yesterday's announcement that Rasmus Sandin had been recalled by the Leafs, just hours before announcing Morgan Reilly's long-term injury, the team has announced on Tuesday that 2017 first-rounder Timothy Liljegren has been recalled from the Marlies as well.
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While some have suggested that the call up is purely to have Liljegren take reps in NHL practices, much like he had done earlier in the season, others have tossed around the idea of Keefe and Dubas wanting to pair Sandin with Liljegren, as the two young Swedes have shown great chemistry while paired together in the AHL.
While that may or may not be the case, it looks as though Liljegren may be sticking with the big club for more than just a cup of coffee, as the club have also announced a pair of recalls from the ECHL Newfoundland Growlers, with Michael Kapla and Joseph Duszak en route to Toronto to take on an assignment with the Marlies in Sandin and Liljegren's expected absences.
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While it would be exciting to see Sandin and Liljegren deployed together, all signs are currently pointing to Sandin being in line to munch some major minutes in the Leafs' top-4, having performed amicably in the early season 6-game stint he enjoyed in October.
Liljegren, on the other hand, may need some time to cook on an NHL practice rink or sheltered minutes on the third pairing, should he see NHL action.
An interesting piece of information on the aforementioned Sandin, however. Sandin has been given Morgan Rielly's locker room stall, which is in the middle of the room. Typically with young players who are being called up, they are placed on the outer stalls of the room, more toward the edges.
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Though many are expecting the Leafs to buckle under the weight of all of the key injuries that have occurred this season, specifically those to two major components on the back end, Muzzin and Rielly, head coach Sheldon Keefe believes that this team has every opportunity to prove itself, as all great teams face adversity in the form of injuries and seem to display poise and professionalism, carrying on their winning ways with more of a "business as usual" approach. He puts the onus on the players to do the same with Rielly and Muzzin sidelined.
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The Devils are in Toronto this evening to take on a Leafs team who has struggled of late. It will be interesting to see how Sandin will be deployed, and whether or not we will get to see Liljegren make his NHL debut - or if that will have to wait until later this week.
