One of the depth defenseman in the Six left the ice at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night sooner than he expected.
Toronto Maple Leafs blueliner William Lagesson had to pull out of the team’s game against the Anaheim Ducks with an upper-body injury.
It is not clear what exactly the 27-year-old strained. Early in the first period, he reached for the puck while trying to hold it in the offensive zone, but could not keep it in. He went back to the bench in some discomfort, and eventually went down the tunnel into the dressing room.
Lagesson was on the ice for just 1:31.
It will be interesting to see what the Leafs do on the blueline, depending on the severity of Lagesson’s injury. They are still without their star defenseman, Morgan Rielly, for two more games as he serves his five-game suspension for cross-checking Ridly Greig of the Ottawa Senators. The Leafs might have to look to call someone up from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.
The former Edmonton Oiler has been fairly healthy since coming to Toronto this season, missing a couple of games in early December due to illness. In 24 games, he has registered just three assists, with his last point coming on Dec. 14 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Lagesson signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Leafs on July 1, after spending last season on an AHL contract with the Chicago Wolves. The Gothenburg, Sweden native played the first five games of his season with the Marlies before getting called up to the Leafs, where he has remained ever since.
In 84 career NHL games, Lagesson has registered 10 assists.
The Maple Leafs (28-16-8) are fourth in the Atlantic Division, one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for third. They still hold the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, six points ahead of the ninth-place New Jersey Devils.
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