The list of absentees grew for the Maple Leafs on Tuesday.
If you’re looking for positives, one takeaway is that coach Sheldon Keefe continued to report that four integral pieces — goalie Frederik Andersen, defenceman Jake Muzzin and forwards Zach Hyman and Joe Thornton — remain day to day.
None of the four practised at the Ford Performance Centre, and afterward, there was no confirmation as to whether any might play on Wednesday night against the Calgary Flames.
“We will take it a day at a time and we’ll see where everybody is (Wednesday),” Keefe said.
Andersen is dealing with a lower-body issue, and so is Thornton, Keefe said. Hyman has been in pain after blocking shots in recent games, while Muzzin suffered a broken bone in his face against Montreal on Saturday.
Goalie Jack Campbell looked fine in practice as he continues to work his way back from a lower-body injury that has kept him out since Jan. 24. Campbell is close to returning, but unlikely in time for Wednesday. Forward Wayne Simmonds (wrist) is not close.
Two other Leafs didn’t take part in practice — forwards Alexander Barabanov and Scott Sabourin — after there was a lack of clarity in their COVID tests.
“Their PCR tests from (Monday) came back as indeterminate,” Keefe said. “Subsequently they were sent home to await further testing. Since that time, their tests were run a second time and they’ve come back negative. If (Tuesday’s) PCR tests were to come back negative again, we’ll get those results in the morning, they’ll rejoin the team.”
DIVERSE HIRINGS
The Leafs and MLSE announced the appointment of former Leafs defenceman Mark Fraser to the role of Player Development, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Justin Bobb as Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – Team Strategy.
Fraser will work directly with the players and staff at MLSE with the goal of further educating and bringing positive change within its teams and the community.
Bobb will support the Leafs, as well as other MLSE teams, in developing and executing on their Equity, Diversity and Inclusion strategies.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome Mark back into the fold of our team to work in this very important role,” Leafs president Brendan Shanahan said in a statement. “Mark will work hand in hand with our players and within our organization and community to help make hockey a more inclusive and welcoming place for all.
“Justin’s insights and experience helping many community sports programs and communities facing equity, diversity and inclusion barriers will be invaluable to the Maple Leafs in our own work, as well as the work of MLSE.”
BABCOCK BLATHER
About the only thing not negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, apparently, is Mike Babcock’s ego.
“I know who I am, I know what I have done,” the former Leafs coach said on the Rod Pedersen radio show on Tuesday. “Some of this doesn’t pass the smell test at all and what I mean is just common sense. When you look at my career, I have always been hired by people who knew me … Something doesn’t add up.”
Babcock’s quote was part of a longer answer to the question: “The last year and half, what has it been like for you, because you have taken some shots?”
Babcock was hired last week as the coach of the men’s hockey team at the University of Saskatchewan. Since being fired by the Leafs in November 2019, Babcock has come under fire for his reported treatment of players he has coached, including Mitch Marner in Toronto and Johan Franzen in Detroit, among others.
LOOSE LEAFS
Alex Galchenyuk on Tuesday practised fully with the Leafs for the first time since being acquired from Carolina last week. Just don’t count on seeing him in the Leafs lineup soon. “We’re in no rush despite the injuries we have here,” Keefe said. “I don’t think he’s in a good place to be thrown in the lineup. We want to make sure that we can really work to develop his game and his confidence properly.” … Martin Marincin practised as the seventh defenceman. Concentrating more on special teams work, Keefe didn’t run drills that involved line rushes … The remainder of the Toronto Marlies’ schedule has been released. Their first home game is on Monday against Manitoba, and their final regular-season game will be on May 15 at Laval.
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