Leafs’ Marner out at least four weeks with ankle injury

Mitch-Marner

Toronto Maple Leafs centre Mitch Marner (16) reacts after taking a penalty in overtime against the Washington Capitals during NHL hockey action in Toronto on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019. (Hans Deryk / CP)

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner is expected to miss at least four weeks with an ankle injury, the team announced Sunday.

Marner underwent an MRI Sunday after getting hurt during the team’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. The 22-year-old fell awkwardly after getting tangled up with the stick of Flyers winger Carsen Twarynski off a draw early in the second period.

He will be reassessed by the team’s medical staff after four weeks. That length of time allows the Leafs to transfer him to long-term injured reserve for the time being, so he won’t count against their salary cap.

Forward Nic Petan and defenceman Martin Marincin were both recently sent to waivers as a way to combat an impending cap crunch for the Maple Leafs, with forward Zach Hyman set to return this week from LTIR.

Marner hadn’t missed a game since his rookie campaign in 2016-17. Now, he’s on track to miss the next 12 games — in addition to sitting out Sunday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

He has a 18 points (including a team-high 14 assists) in 18 games this season.

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