The Toronto Maple Leafs tweaked the roster on Saturday to bolster a depleted blue line.
Defenceman William Villeneuve was recalled from AHL Toronto on an emergency basis heading into the Maple Leafs game against the Los Angeles Kings, the team announced.
The move comes after defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson was listed as doubtful heading into Saturday's road tilt due to a lower-body injury suffered in Thursday's loss — which officially eliminated the Maple Leafs from playoff contention — to the San Jose Sharks.
Ekman-Larsson has eight goals and 30 assists in 73 games this season. He's previously missed just three games all season, and none were due to injury.
As for Villeneuve, the 24-year-old has yet to make an appearance in the NHL since being selected 122nd overall in the 2020 draft by Toronto.
The young defenceman has spent the 2025-26 season with the Marlies, logging three goals and 25 assists through 58 games.
Catch the Maple Leafs look to play spoiler against the playoff-hopeful Kings on Saturday, with puckdrop set for 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
