Called back up with the Maple Leafs but outside of the team's top-12 forward group, do the club and the team decide to part ways when the player becomes a restricted free agent? Mitch Marner remains off the ice after suffering a lower-body injury late last week. The 26-year-old forward suffered the injury on Mar. 7 against the Boston Bruins. After creating a scoring chance in the Bruins' end during the second period, Marner fired a shot before landing on his right leg. He was slow to get up and went right to the bench after falling on the ice. Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe was asked about Marner's status following practice on Wednesday but didn't have anything new to share. "No update on Mitch," Keefe added. "He didn't skate today, so read into that what you will." [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j-Qgv8FGys[/embed] Marner's injury came at a crucial point in what could be a career year for the right winger. His 76 points in 62 games this season is just 23 shy of his career-high 99 points in 80 games he had last year. Keefe mentioned earlier this week that it's "unlikely" Marner plays in Philadelphia against the Flyers on Thursday night. With the forward likely ruled out, it allowed the Maple Leafs to shuffle the lines a bit before heading out to Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon. "I mean, of course you'd like to solidify some things and keep things consistent. But this time of year brings various different things. Right now, it's Mitch's injury, and that's a significant player that changes the outlook of our team pretty dramatically," Keefe said "I think we have a pretty good sense of what lines and combinations have worked. We've been pretty consistent through the season for the most part. Obviously an adjustment with John (Tavares) and how we've used him in the last month or so." Marner did not take the ice with the main group at practice on Wednesday but was present for team meetings. He leads the Leafs this season with 51 assists. The Leafs have been guarded when divulging specifics regarding Marner's injury. When pressed if he was content that Marner's injury didn't appear to be serious upon further evaluation on Monday the coach remarked: "I'm not sure what serious means." Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related 'His Calling Card Is Defending': Maple Leafs' Newest Defense Acquisition Cade Webber Continues to Hit Milestones with Boston University [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/his-calling-card-is-defending-maple-leafs-newest-defense-acquisition-cade-webber-continues-to-hit-milestones-with-boston-university] 'I Understand It But I'm Not Going To Sit Here And Say That I'm Happy': Maple Leafs' Roster Shuffle Tests Nick Robertson's Patience Upon His Return to the Team [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-understand-it-but-im-not-going-to-sit-here-and-say-that-im-happy-maple-leafs-roster-shuffle-tests-nick-robertsons-patience-upon-his-return-to-the-team] 'They Weren't Very Good': New Look Maple Leafs Line of Auston Matthews with Tyler Bertuzzi and William Nylander Gets Terrible Review in Win Against Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/they-werent-very-good-new-look-maple-leafs-line-of-auston-matthews-with-tyler-bertuzzi-and-william-nylander-gets-terrible-review-in-win-against-canadiens] News from THN.com NHL Three Stars: The GM Trio That Shined Brightest at the Deadline [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-three-stars-the-gm-trio-that-shined-brightest-at-the-deadline] Which NHL Teams Are the Ultimate Stanley Cup Contenders After the Trade Deadline? [https://thehockeynews.com/news/which-nhl-teams-are-the-ultimate-stanley-cup-contenders-after-the-trade-deadline] Opinion: Why Golden Knights Got Noah Hanifin for Pennies on the Dollar from Flames [https://thehockeynews.com/news/opinion-why-golden-knights-got-noah-hanifin-for-pennies-on-the-dollar-from-flames]
