Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mikhail Grabovski could return to the Leafs lineup sooner rather than later, head coach Ron Wilson said Thursday on Sportsnet 590 THE FAN’s Brady and Lang in the Morning.
“There’s a possibility that Grabovski will be ready to play this Sunday in Anaheim,” Wilson said.
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While the possibility is there, Wilson later revealed that Grabovski seems likely to remain out of the lineup until the Leafs return from their current road trip.
Grabovski has been out of the team’s lineup since sustaining a lower-body injury on Nov. 15 in the Leafs’ 3-2 loss against the Phoenix Coyotes.
In 18 games this season, Grabovski has five goals and five assists.
Wilson also touched on the progress of NHL point-leader Phil Kessel.
“He’s growing up. You know, at the end of the day, that’s the biggest part that I notice. He’s a lot more mature, and getting Joffrey Lupul here is a huge plus for him.”
One of the biggest stories regarding the Leafs is the health of starting goaltender James Reimer, who has been on the Leafs’ injured reserve and has been treated for “concussion-like symptoms” since he was sideswiped by Montreal Canadiens forward Brian Gionta on Oct. 22.
Since Reimer’s injury, the Leafs — who are 7-7-1 without Reimer — have been alternating between Jonas Gustavsson and Ben Scrivens in net.
Despite the Leafs’ need for their No. 1 starter, Wilson’s first priority is the 23-year-old’s health.
“We’re not going to rush someone back from that type of injury just because maybe a goaltender or two goalies have been struggling,” he said.
James Reimer spoke to Sportsnet’s Barry Davis after practice on Thursday. The goaltender said he feels great and wouldn’t completely rule out a return at the end of the Leafs’ four-game road trip but needs a few more full practices just to be safe.
Speaking on Reimer’s recovery, Wilson said it is a “slow process” and that he is probably “10 days or so” away from being ready to play.
Furthermore, gritty forward Mike Brown has been sent back home to have doctors take a look at his groin injury. Brown has been sidelined with the injury since Nov. 15.
