There’s been a lot of talk about how much better the Leafs were when they had centre David Bolland in the lineup. He provided stability on the penalty kill, didn’t give away the puck and was the best example of work ethic during practice. All true, Bolland’s return in the new year won’t fix the Maple Leafs’ problems right now.
For one thing, Bolland returning wouldn’t necessarily mean you get the same type of player. A severed ankle tendon is among the hardest injuries to recover from—both mentally and physically. Erik Karlsson has fully recovered from his—and playing well—but it hasn’t necessarily into wins for the Ottawa Senators. Coming over from Chicago with two Stanley Cups placed high expectations on Bolland to be part of the solution here in Toronto. Certain types of ankle injuries can end an athlete’s professional career. In Bolland’s case, the positive is the tendon that severed was not the Achilles. Still, there is no guarantee that his injury will 100 percent fully heal this season, and the Leafs for now have to move on and fix their problems without him.
CAPTAIN ICE TIME
While it wasn’t a season high, Dion Phaneuf’s ice-time increased dramatically against the Phoenix Coyotes. This was large in part to a second period were he logged north of 11 minutes after several special-teams situations. On Tuesday against the Panthers, we saw some Phaneuf errors that led to goals against. It was the first time all season you directly fault the captain for a critical moment in the game. Aside from that, his stock has risen steadily on this team. Now it looks like he’s closing in on a deal that will keep him with the Leafs for the next seven years north of $49 million.
WEEKEND AT BERNIE’S
Following the Leafs win against Phoenix, caoch Randy Carlyle elaborated on a morning skate routine that led to confusion as to who was going to start in goal. “Bernie has been dealing with an ailment” Carlyle said. “At the end of the skate we asked him if he was 100 percent and he said he wasn’t, so we went with James (Reimer).” Whatever this injury turns out to be, it wasn’t serious enough to keep him backing Reimer up.But it’s something to keep an eye on if this stretches out beyond the Christmas Break.
BODES WELL
Forward Troy Bodie has been firebal in the three games he’s played since being called up. In Pittsburgh Monday, his return to the lineup resulted in a pair of scraps. On Thursday against Phoenix, his play helped set the tone for a good start out of the gate, something the Leafs have particularly lacked at home. He also scored his his first goal as a Leaf on Thursday and could have had more than one with the chances his fourth line was generating. That unit is bringing some much needed speed and jump, something it didn’t feature when mostly occupied by fighters like Colton Orr and Frazer McLaren.
REIMER SPEAKS, TEAM LISTENS
James Reimer has never been as despondent or vocal as he was following Tuesday’s loss to the Panthers. Referring to excuses as “B.S.” appeared to send shock waves throughout the room. Players knew they had to be better, and they responded in decent form Thursday. Sure it wasn’t a dominating performance, but the Leafs got the win when they really needed one from a team standpoint.
RELAXED RIELLY
With the Leafs declaration Wednesday that Morgan Rielly would not be heading to Sweden to represent Canada at the World Junior Championship, the rookie looked like a lot calmer player Thursday. “To be honest I’m just glad it’s over” said Rielly following the team’s morning skate. All season long, the rookie had to deal with questions about his status. First it was if he’d make the team. Then it was if he’d stick after nine games. Then it was the world juniors. Those questions have all been answered. But now the 40-game period question will rear its ugly head: Will he be sent to junior before that where he could be returned so his UFA status doesn’t come a year early. Barring a tremendous regression in his play, that simply will not happen. Rielly is in Toronto to stay and the chemistry he found with John-Michael Liles Thursday seems to be a dynamic fit.
IN CONFIDENCE
A lack of consistency in the lineup can get to players at times. But throughout Liles’ up-and-down year, his confidence never seemed to waiver. He gave it his all with the Marlies and he’s performing well now with the Leafs when given the opportunity. Of course this does come at the expense of other players, most notably Mark Fraser who was a healthy scratch against Phoenix. His smile isn’t there like earlier in the season and one wonders where he’ll fit in should Liles and Rielly stick as the Nos. 5 and 6 tandem.
MIDDLE MEN
Tyler Bozak spoke on his oblique injury for the first time since he was placed on the long term injured reserve earlier this month. The move was made to give the Leafs some cap relief, but for the first timE it appears to have backfired a bit since he feels like he’s about ready to play. Being placed on the LTIR 10 games and 24 days of missed time, meaning the earliest Bozak can return is Dec. 29th against Carolina. Had he not been subjected to LTIR and placed on regular IR, Bozak probably could have returned much earlier, perhaps as soon as Saturday. With Trevor Smith suffering a broken bone in his hand, the Leafs can used all the help up the middle that they can right now.