An injury to one of the Leafs’ key defenders means a few Marlies will be promoted to the top team for insurance.
The @MapleLeafs have recalled D Simon Benoit and D Max Lajoie from the @TorontoMarlies.
D Timothy Liljegren has been placed on long-term injured reserve.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) November 4, 2023
Timothy Liljegren was injured late in the first period on Thursday in Boston after getting tripped by Brad Marchand and falling awkwardly into the boards. He did not return after that and Sheldon Keefe told reporters following the game that the injury was significant enough that Liljegren would have to sit on the sidelines for a while with what is being described as a high ankle sprain.
Already without Jake McCabe who has been out for nearly two weeks, the Leafs’ defensive depth is now going to be tested as they attempt to weather the storm and minimize the damage in the wake of a third of their blueliners getting injured. Getting called up from the Marlies are Simon Benoit and Max Lajoie, who both should see some game action in the coming days.
Lajoie spent a lot of time last year paired up with William Lagesson on the Chicago Wolves, the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate at the time. It is, therefore, not a surprise that Keefe decided to pair the two up at morning skate and that will almost certainly be the third pair for tonight’s game against the Sabes.
Benoit has bounced between the NHL and AHL to begin the season and him getting another promotion is seen as additional insurance since the Leafs now have enough room to bring up an extra body with Liljegren out of commission for a while. His physical playstyle is certainly a unique trait that should get him some playing time at some point, but he has barely played since the regular season commenced so the Leafs will need to exercise caution before slotting him in.
Prior to this injury, Liljegren has appeared in 10 games where he has amassed an assist. Lajoie has played seven AHL contests so far and has gone scoreless while Benoit has yet to register a point in two games with the Marlies.
Stats from Hockey-Reference.com.
