BUFFALO, N.Y. — Mitch Marner’s move to long-term injured reserve has less to do with a timeline for the Toronto Maple Leafs star’s return and more to do with roster flexibility.
By shifting Marner’s cap hit onto LTIR retroactive to March 7, the date of his suspected ankle injury in Boston, Toronto was able to recall depth defenceman Marshall Rifai from the Marlies ahead of its game Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres.
“We’re down to six defence. And the way things have been going, it’s important to have an additional guy. So, he’ll be in warmup tonight,” coach Sheldon Keefe said Saturday morning in Buffalo.
Marner practised in full with the Leafs Friday. He is scheduled to sit out an 11th straight game Monday versus Florida and practise again Tuesday.
At that point, the Maple Leafs will consider dressing their top-line winger for Wednesday’s showdown against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the rival chasing Toronto in the standings.
“Nice to be back out with the guys,” Marner told reporters Friday, speaking for the first time since getting injured in Boston. “It’s close… Be ready when the time comes.”
The Maple Leafs have gone 5-3-1 during this stretch without Marner, whose impact on both special teams has been missed.
It was reported that the player suffered a high-ankle sprain, but Marner did not confirm that when asked, leaving the exact nature of his injury to speculation.
“I’ve been watching every game. You guys have been talking about it every single game,” Marner said. “You guys can say what you want. It’s behind me now. Stuff happened.”
Marner is but one of a few regulars who won’t face the Sabres Saturday.
Morgan Rielly (upper body, day-to-day) is “progressing well,” per Keefe, and should return to the ice “soon.”
Timothy Liljegren (upper body) and Joel Edmundson (undisclosed) are both week-to-week and expected to return before the regular season concludes on April 17.
“This team has stepped up in big ways when guys have gone down with stuff,” Marner said.
Ilya Samsonov makes his first start in a week Saturday and will look to avenge his previous start at KeyBank Center.
