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NHL insider Darren Dreger of TSN gave some insight into the extent of Mitch Marner's injury and his potential status for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off.
With the concerning news that the Maple Leafs are going to be without Mitch Marner due to a lower-body injury, there are many fans worried about how the team is going to fare without him and if it's going to be a detriment going forward.
While the team was able to persevere against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, it's still worrying that Marner, who has been such a key factor in Toronto's success, is hurt.
But according to Dreger, Leafs fans shouldn't have to worry too much about Marner's status.
"Mitch Marner is dealing with some 'stiffness,' but it's not considered a major concern at this point," Dreger said. "He's sitting out tonight's game as a precaution, and the expectation is that he'll be ready for the Four Nations tournament. However, if the issue lingers into Thursday's game against Seattle, it could become a bigger talking point. For now, the focus is on rest and recovery."
Mitch Marner's absence a precaution but has potential to get worse
Stiffness is expected after playing 50-plus games in a season. While it's positive to see that Marner is only dealing with some aches and pains that come with an 82-game slate, it's still concerning that it could stretch into Thursday.
Toronto's practice on Thursday is going to be a very interesting sign as a Marner appearance all but assures that he'll be good to go, but if he's not, then it's time to hover the finger around the panic button.
Marner has undoubtedly been the team's MVP in 2024-25, leading the way with 70 points in 52 games (16G, 54A), and recently became the fastest to reach 70 points with the Leafs since Doug Gilmour and Dave Andreychuk in 1993-94.
A free agent at the end of the season, a lot of talk has been thrown around regarding whether or not Marner is going to stay with the team or take a massive deal elsewhere, where no doubt teams are going to throw Brinks Trucks full of cash at the star winger.
According to Dreger, fans can breathe a sigh of relief that Marner isn't too bad for wear and is just dealing with some aches. But if that stretches to Thursday and beyond, then it's the fans who are going to be in a lot of pain if he's out long-term.
More must-reads:
- Toronto Maple Leafs make announcement on Mitch Marner's status
- Bad news for Maple Leafs as goalie Joseph Woll faces new setback
- The 'Highest paid NHL players in 2024-25' quiz
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Matt Rempe's Dangerous Charity-Game Hit Attempt Renews Rangers-Devils Rivalry
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Browns make curious decision with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders
The Cleveland Browns are giving Shedeur Sanders special treatment in training camp, but it's not the type of favoritism the fifth-round pick would necessarily want. Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Sanders is the only Browns quarterback who has not been taking reps with the first-team offense during OTAs or the first two practices of training camp. Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett, veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel have all split reps with the first team. Despite being asked to throw passes to members of the equipment staff amid a shortage of professional pass-catchers for a four-quarterback roster, Sanders said he's thankful for the opportunity to show the Browns coaching staff his talents. "I feel like that it's not in my control, so I'm not going to think about that or even have that in my thought process of why it is," Sanders said to a question as to why he's not getting first-team reps. "There's a lot of people who want to have the opportunity to be at this level, and I'm here and I'm thankful to have the opportunity. So, whenever that is, that is." Sanders, 23, believes that he can contribute more to the Browns than what the coaching staff is asking of him. "It doesn't make me feel down or left out because I know who I am as a person," Sanders said. "I know who I am as an individual and I know what I could bring to this team. So, I can never feel less than any circumstance." The Browns selected Sanders with the No. 144 pick in April's draft. As a player whom many draft analysts thought was a first-round talent, Cleveland took what could be the steal of the draft in the fifth round. It's curious why the Browns aren't giving Sanders a shot with the first team early in training camp before the quarterback race becomes more serious. Cleveland should see what Sanders has to offer this summer. Flacco, 40, isn't a long-term solution at the position. Pickett failed in Pittsburgh. The Browns need to gauge what rookies Gabriel and Sanders can do with the first team. Having Sanders throw balls to the equipment staff is a waste of everyone's time. But then again, Cleveland has wasted plenty of quarterbacks.
New suitor emerges for Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez
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Jalen Williams fires back at critics who call him 'corny'
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