The Toronto Maple Leafs got some positive news regarding Morgan Rielly's injury as it seems like it won't be keeping him out of the lineup for much longer.
Right now, things are not looking good for the Maple Leafs. They just got shut out by the New Jersey Devils, have lost three straight at home, and are starting to look eerily similar to the team we saw finish last in the Atlantic last season.
Injuries have certainly played a factor into that, though can't be pointed to as an excuse. But the reality is, Toronto's injury situation - especially on the blue line - has been a nightmare this year.
Morgan Rielly expected to be back soon, but not soon enough
Morgan Rielly is the latest victim, as he left Saturday's game against Montreal after playing under six minutes and didn't return.
He was given a day-to-day designation however the team historically likes to downplay injuries so it's a complete guess if there's actually something serious going on with Rielly.
Though according to Darren Dreger, the Maple Leafs should be getting him back in short order.
Appearing on TSN's First Up, Dreger explained that Rielly's injury is indeed just a day-to-day situation and that he should miss no longer than a week:
Don't expect things to drag out too long. He's in a category of day-to-day, so he should be back shortly...about a week
That's great news in general as the Maple Leafs desperately need him back to at least try and spark some offense at the very least, but as oddly as it sounds - they need his defense.
Rielly hasn't been nearly as bad defensively this season as he was last year, and has stepped it up. Is he perfect? Not at all, but compared to the last two seasons? He looks more aware, more active, and more aggressive.
He has 12 assists in 18 games, along with 23 blocks and eight hits and an even plus/minus of zero while averaging 19:46 TOI, which is the least amount of ice time since his rookie season.Toronto is about to experience their longest week of the 2026-27 season
But his absence being for a week is absolutely not what Toronto needs to hear.
Right now they are looking at the Minnesota Wild, Colorado Avalanche, and Edmonton Oilers for their next three games, and they don't have much time to rest in between.
He would make things much easier for Toronto at both ends of the ice, but he's likely going to be missing up until at least Saturday. That puts him in line to return Tuesday against Chicago, and while that would be an easier return - it might be too late.
Rielly's season is a great turnaround for him, and it's a shame it might go to waste if the Maple Leafs can't turn things around themselves. At least he'll be back soon, and we can only hope that there's still time for him to make an impact.POLLDo you think Morgan Rielly will return this week for the Maple Leafs or will it be longer?
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