TORONTO — Seven weeks have passed since Joseph Woll suffered his high-ankle sprain, and the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender’s return is still far from imminent.
Careful not to rush rehab or publicly target an exact return date for the rookie netminder and most trusted answer between the pipes, coach Sheldon Keefe did say the 25-year-old is “progressing very well.”
Instead of vacationing south, Woll will remain in Toronto and continue to put in work over the Leafs’ upcoming bye week.
“The plan and the hope is that one once we return, he’ll be closer to or ready to join our practices,” Keefe said.
As for Woll’s next start?
“Still quite a ways away.”
Giordano asked to be patient
As Father Time tries hunting down the NHL’s oldest player, Mark Giordano has been asked to sit another one out.
While the 40-year-old defenceman and fierce competitor sat out the second half of back-to-backs the past two Sundays in the name of load management, Wednesday’s scratch against the Central Division–leading Winnipeg Jets (7 p.m. ET on Sportsnet) hits different.
“Feel pretty rested,” Giordano told reporters at Tuesday’s practice, noting that his month off recovering from a broken thumb has given him plenty of energy.
Whether it’s Giordano’s healthy scratches, T.J. Brodie’s defensive gaffes, or John Tavares’ eight-game point drought, the whispers that age is catching up to some of the veteran Leafs this winter are getting louder.
“A lot of it’s BS,” Giordano said, defending Tavares. “He hasn’t slowed down one bit. We all know that in here. I’ve gone through that, too. A lot of people try to convince you of that. But just stick to your guns and stick to what’s gotten you in the league and kept you in the league this long.”
Keefe explains his swap of lefty Giordano in favour of righty Conor Timmins as a combination of not overtaxing the shot-block king and balancing out the handedness of his blueline.
“Gio gives us everything he has. He’s battling,” Keefe said. “We have been feeling like we could utilize an extra right shot on our defence to help us with our puck movement on the breakout, coming out of the neutral zone, on our regroups, and at the offensive blue line.
“That is part of the decision-making process.”
Robertson gets some run
Frequent scratch Nick Robertson will appear in consecutive games for the first time this month, having earned Keefe’s attention by not only scoring the game-winner Sunday in Seattle but playing responsibly in his limited minutes.
The coach theorizes that Robertson’s growing hunger and ability to rest between games contributes to his impact.
“Gives us a spark,” said Keefe, impressed by the winger’s attitude as he yo-yos in and out of the lineup. “You need to wait for your opportunities. And when your opportunity comes, you need to show that the time without playing hasn’t impacted your game; you haven’t lost your rhythm or your ability to come in and make an impact.”
Robertson has goals in four of his past six outings, and his teammates have taken note.
“I mean, every time he’s called upon, he does the job. Shows that he can score goals and contribute in big moments. And he’s been great for us. Just really happy for him,” rookie winger Matthew Knies said. “It’s nice to see him getting rewarded for those opportunities.”
Defence vs. Offence
Always a heated rivalry, Wednesday night’s Jets-Leafs battle offers a classic offence versus defence referendum.
Toronto ranks fifth overall in goals per game (3.49), while Winnipeg is the stingiest NHL club going (2.29 goal against per game).
Keefe on the Jets: “I think they put their defence and goaltending first.”
Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey: “They’ve got some of the most dynamic offensive players in the world.”
The Jets just had their remarkable 34-game run of allowing less than four goals snapped by a Bruins empty-netter in Boston on Monday.
Even with some injuries, Winnipeg has bought in to coach Rick Bowness’s tight system.
“They’re rolling pretty good. It’s a good test for us, and I think we can definitely compete with the teams and beat those teams up there,” Robertson said.
“Another Canadian team. I know they’re hungry to beat us. Anyone that comes in our building definitely has a little extra fire.”
One-Timers: Tyler Bertuzzi is not available for Wednesday’s game as he and his wife, Ashley, are expecting their second child. Bertuzzi was placed on non-roster Tuesday, and Ryan Reaves — who says he’s ready to play — was taken off injured reserve. … The Jets will be without key forwards Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi (both lower body, day to day). Neither player has been ruled out for Saturday’s rematch in Winnipeg. … Ilya Samsonov (6-3-6, .866) versus Laurent Broissoit (7-3-1, .923) is the goalie matchup.
Maple Leafs’ projected lines Wednesday vs. Winnipeg Jets
Knies – Matthews – Marner
Hölmberg – Tavares – Nylander
Robertson – Domi – Järnkrok
McMann – Kämpf – Gregor
Rielly – Brodie
McCabe – Liljegren
Benoit – Timmins
Samsonov starts
Jones