Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe updated us on the status of Mitch Marner, Tyler Bertuzzi and Ilya Lyubushkin this morning. Their injuries will determine how Keefe creates the lineup for the next couple of games.
Making matters worse is the fact that the team is currently dealing with an illness that has spread through the locker room. Currently, Tyler Bertuzzi and Ilya Lyubushkin appear to be getting the worst of it as both remain out as of today. Keefe confirmed this morning that Lyubushkin will not play tomorrow but left Bertuzzi's status up in the air, giving him a chance to play, but no guarantees.
That being said, Marner is the most impactful player currently out of the lineup, no offense to Bertuzzi and Lyubushkin. As such, the team and their fans are highly anticipating his return to the lineup. Sheldon Keefe did give a somewhat promising update on him saying that he is certainly getting better, but it sounds like he is still a ways away from rejoining the team in a full capacity.
There's no doubt that anytime an NHL team is missing a player that makes 11 million dollars a year, they are going to notice it. That being said, the team is 3-1-1 in Marner's absence, showing that they can still do well without him. How long this success will last remains a question though. One the Leafs hope they won't have to answer.