The Maple Leafs will be without the physical forward for at least a week.
The Maple Leafs will be without the physical forward for at least a week.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will place Ryan Reaves on injured reserve (IR) after the forward was injured in the first period of the team's 6-5 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.
But the good news is the injury isn't as bad as it looked.
"We don’t have an exact timeline but all I can say is it’s not as bad as it appeared," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Reaves. "I was talking with him yesterday and he was riding a bike so it’s encouraging that way."
Reaves appeared to have his skate caught in a rut during the game on Thursday and couldn't put any weight on his left foot.
There was also footage that showed Reaves falling after he was helped off the ice.
By placing Reaves on injured reserve, the forward will be required to miss seven days retroactive to Thursday. As a result, the earliest he'd be eligible to return to the lineup is Dec. 23 against the Blue Jackets. The move to IR also opens up a roster spot for the club. The Leafs called up Pontus Holmberg from the Marlies on Saturday morning. He took part as the extra during the team's morning skate and will not dress against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.
Reaves has one goal in 21 games with the Leafs this season. The 36-year-old signed with the Leafs as a free agent this summer, committing to a three-year deal worth $4.05 million.
Holmberg dressed in seven games with the Leafs this season. The 24-year-old has six goals and four assists in 11 games with the Marlies in 2023-24.
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