Maple Leafs Place Connor Dewar On IR, Call-Up Rookie Fan Favorite In Response
Though he was struggling with a day-to-day injury, Connor Dewar ended up on the IR and the Maple Leafs decided to recall fan favorite Nikita Grebenkin for help.
It's been a tough stretch for Toronto over the past week or so with new injuries to John Tavares, Max Pacioretty, Matthew Knies, and Connor Dewar among others.
With no timeline on anyone's return, we at least know that Dewar won't be back anytime soon as the team has placed the fourth-line forward on the IR as he deals with a nagging undisclosed injury.
Nikita Grebenkin Call Up Could Lead To All-Rookie Fourth Line
The team recalled fan favorite rookie Nikita Grebenkin in response. He had a cup of coffee with the Maple Leafs earlier this season, but didn't stick around as Toronto's injured started to get healthy.
It's unknown if Grebenkin will line up for the Maple Leafs against Ottawa on Saturday night, but there's a possibility as he could join fellow rookies Jacob Quillan and Fraser Minten on the bottom line as the youthful sparkplug line.
Toronto could desperately use an offensive spark on their bottom line, and moving up David Kampf to take Max Domi's spot allows for Craig Berube to experiment with the youth movement (and bring more offense and defense than Ryan Reaves could).
Dewar was injured on Jan. 21 and didn't play against Columbus in Toronto's 5-1 loss. Although he's lost a lot of his offensive production since coming over, he's added much needed defense and along with Steven Lorentz have been sneaky good at 5 on 5.
This season, Dewar has zero goals and three assists but has 78 hits in 29 games. He's in the final year of his $1.18M contract and will be a free agent at the end of the season.
Grebenkin, who was drafted 135th overall in 2022 had a small seven game stint earlier this season while the team was once again ravaged with injuries. He endeared himself to fans for his nonchalant attitude, hilarious soundbites, and ability to connect with fans.
Though he has yet to register a point, Grebenkin offers boundless energy, solid defense and scoring punch. With the Marlies this season, the rookie has eight goals and eight assists in 29 games while adding 16 PIM.
It will be interesting to see how Craig Berube utilizes his rookies, but now that he has a trio of young, hungry up and comers; what better time to put them to the test than now?
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 25 | 422 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Place Connor Dewar On IR, Call-Up Rookie Fan Favorite In Response Are you worried about Connor Dewar's injury and think it's long-term? | ||
| Yes worried but not long term | 83 | 19.7 % |
| Not worried | 205 | 48.6 % |
| Worried and he's out a while | 38 | 9 % |
| When is Anthony Stolarz back? | 96 | 22.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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