Ryan O'Reilly, who was the focal point of a significant trade deadline transaction for the Leafs, has been putting in considerable effort to bounce back from a finger fracture he suffered during his initial matches with the squad. Auston Matthews' one-timer shot hit his hand, resulting in the 2019 Conn Smythe awardee's injury. O'Reilly has had surgery and is now close to making a full recovery.
Sheldon Keefe, the head coach of the Leafs, expressed his admiration for O'Reilly's unwavering work ethic, stating that the player spent almost three hours on the ice during a recent morning skate. O'Reilly's ability to score against goaltender Matt Murray in one-on-one drills indicates that he would already be playing if the Leafs didn't have a comfortable lead over their Atlantic Division competitors, Tampa. Nevertheless, the team is capitalizing on their five-point advantage to ensure that O'Reilly only returns to action when he is completely healed.
Although Keefe did not provide an exact date for O'Reilly's return, he remarked that if the forward's recovery continues without complications, he should be a full participant in practice by Friday. With a bit of luck, the Leafs may have the former St. Louis Blues captain back in the lineup as soon as next week!
