ELMONT, N.Y. — The Toronto Maple Leafs are not sure yet of what type of forward and defensive formation they’ll deploy when they visit the Florida Panthers on Thursday, but TJ Brodie is expected to be a part of it.
"I haven't talked to the trainers just yet, but that's the plan," Keefe said. "He's doing fine so as long as that's the case he'll be back in the lineup tomorrow."
Brodie missed Tuesday's 7-2 loss against the New York Islanders, although the defenseman did take part in the morning skate. He blocked a shot during the club's 5-4 shootout win against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday and his absence from the lineup was more precautionary than anything else.
"It was mostly a maintenance day just to let it calm down," Brodie explained.
With just 12 games remaining in the regular season, Keefe has taken a rotating approach with his defensemen. With nine D-men on the active roster, the coach is looking for opportunities to have others play, even if it's in place of regulars with some minor bumps and bruises like in Brodie's case on Tuesday.
With news that forward Bobby McMann was injured on Tuesday, the Leafs may elect to deploy seven defensemen if they choose not to dress Wayne Simmonds or call up another forward in McMann's place.
In 47 games this season, Brodie has recorded two goals and nine assists and ranks second in average ice time among Maple Leafs defensemen this season at 21:08.
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