The time is now for the Leafs to look at a young defenceman with the blue line banged up

After injuries suffered to the Maple Leafs defense, one player is being discussed as someone deserving of a long-awaited call-up to the roster.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson left Toronto's game Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings in the first period after a fall following a puck battle with Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond, later ruled out with a lower-body injury.

Brandon Carlo was reported to have been dealing with an unclear injury that didn't take him out of the game vs Detroit, but is being monitored by the Leafs in case he may need to miss time.

With Carlo and Ekman-Larsson leaving two potential holes in the Leafs defensive group, one name is being discussed as the player who should be up next.

Toronto Maple Leafs on social media have said that prospect William Villeneuve should be called up from the American Hockey League.

Villeneuve, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by Toronto, is currently in his fourth AHL season with the Marlies, but has not played a game for the Leafs, despite the 23-year-old having been one of their top prospects over the years.

Currently, Villeneuve leads Marlies defensemen in points with 16 in 33 games this season, currently a leader on the defense from the right-hand side.

Leafs fans are asking if it's time to give Villeneuve his chance at an NHL debut, something that has been waited on for a while now.

Villeneuve is not someone who has been rated highly internally. Defensemen such as Marshall Rifai and Henry Thrun have been called up this season over Villeneuve, despite Villeneuve being viewed by analysts as one of the more NHL projectable prospects in the Marlies roster.

Already having been placed on waivers during the preseason, Villeneuve seems unlikely to get a regular shot in Toronto, but has the perfect opportunity to get a look as injury continue to battle the Leafs.

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