TORONTO – David Bolland went through another morning skate with his Toronto Maple Leafs teammates for a game he wouldn’t play. But there were signs on Thursday that his return might not be so far off.
After leaving the ice, Bolland told Sportsnet that he was still hoping to play before the Olympic break kicks in at the end of next week – a proposition coach Randy Carlyle pegged at "50/50." The veteran centre has been sidelined since Nov. 2, when he had a tendon on the outside of his left ankle severed by an opponent’s skate in Vancouver.
"He looks like he’s moving quite freely out there," Carlyle said before the Leafs faced Florida at Air Canada Centre. "For the better part of the skates, he doesn’t seem to be affected by it. Obviously, there’s things that are going on inside that are taking a little bit more time. … We’re asking a guy to do something and his body is telling him another, and that’s when the push and shove comes where he can take it.
"Medically, it’s healed … it’ll be a pain issue for him."
Bolland was not quite as optimistic as the coach during a brief discussion with Sportsnet, but it’s clear that he’s now being seen as an option for the Leafs. For so long he’s almost been out of sight and off the radar. One thing that has to be lingering in the back of Bolland’s mind is the fact he doesn’t want to be rushed into anything, especially given the unusual nature of the injury.
The severed peroneal tendon essentially kept him off his feet for about a month, which obviously took a toll on his conditioning. He’s also had to resume skating with a specialized skate boot that is designed to limit the amount of chafing around the scarred area.
There might be a little less of a push to get Bolland back in the lineup with Toronto having had a strong couple weeks. After a disastrous start to the month, the Leafs now sit at 8-5-1 in January – a stretch that has included four straight wins at Air Canada Centre heading into the meeting with the Panthers.
Carlyle has been calling for improved play on home ice – he said earlier this season that he was tired of seeing visiting players greet their families and then leave with two points – and the Leafs have responded with some wins.
"We’re just trying to build an identity here and make it hard to play in our building," defenceman Jake Gardiner said. "Our fans have been doing a good job of that too and really getting involved in the game. Late in last game (against Tampa), when we scored that third goal, it was probably the loudest it’s been in here all year.
"We like that atmosphere and it makes it a lot easier for us to play."
Jonathan Bernier was expected to start in goal for Toronto against Scott Clemmensen, who backstopped Florida to a 3-1 over Toronto on Dec. 17.
The Leafs appeared to be going with the same lineup they’ve had intact since a win over Montreal on Jan. 18. With Bolland and David Clarkson (elbow) soon ready to return from injuries, changes aren’t far off.
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PROJECTED LEAFS LINEUP
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ONE-TIMERS
Toronto is 20-1-2 when leading after two periods … Brad Boyes and Tom Gilbert top Florida in scoring with 24 points apiece – the lowest total for any team leader … Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk have combined for 48 goals this season, which accounts for 32 per cent of Toronto’s offence … The Leafs are sixth in the Eastern Conference with 149 goals scored … Panthers rookie Aleksander Barkov was placed on injured reserve earlier this week with a knee ailment … Tyler Bozak has 15 points in his last 15 games for Toronto … Tim Gleason has played at least 18 minutes in eight of his 12 appearances as a Leaf … Panthers captain Ed Jovanovski is one points away from 500 for his NHL career … Scott Gomez has one goal in 24 games this season, making him a frequent scratch on Peter Horachek’s team … The Leafs have won a NHL-best 23 games when outshot … The Leafs and Panthers meet again next Tuesday in Florida.
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QUICK QUOTES
"That wasn’t ideal I don’t think. He’s a tough guy. I think he’s back in tonight. I don’t know if I’d be back in that quickly." – Leafs defenceman Jake Gardiner on teammate Tim Gleason, who blocked a shot in a delicate place on Tuesday night.
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"Everyone goes through ups and downs, whether it’s teams or individuals, and I think you’ve got to find a way to keep climbing. It’s no secret that it’s been a tough year. Hopefully it turns around here." – Leafs winger David Clarkson, who still needs to have staples removed from his elbow before he can return to action.
