Leafs Place Colton Sissons On IR, Recall Brendan Brisson

The Toronto Maple Leafs have swapped forwards on the active roster with two games left on their current homestand. Colton Sissons has been placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury sustained in Sunday’s game against the New Jersey Devils. He has been listed as out week-to-week per David Alter of The Hockey News.

In Sissons place, Toronto has called up winger Brendan Brisson from the AHL. Brisson was on the ice for Thursday’s practice and should be an option for Toronto’s matchup against the Minnesota Wild.

Sissos adds to Toronto’s heap of injuries. They are facing 11 absences, including forward Kirill Marchenko and defenseman Morgan Rielly. The Maple Leafs have been forced to shift around their lineup in response, with Jack Roslovic and Ryan Tverberg earning extra opportunity in the forward group.

Toronto won’t need to slot in Brisson right away, with Teddy Blueger and Zack MacEwen making up for Sissons’ depth role. But after scoring just seven goals in their last four games, the Maple Leafs could be searching for a scoring boost. The former first-round pick leads the Toronto Marlies in goals (8) and points (17) through 14 games.

Brisson has yet to make his Maple Leafs debut – but did play in three games with the New York Rangers last season. Brisson recorded just one assist in those appearances. That muted scoring was matched by 37 points in 66 AHL games. With his minor-league scoring up this season, Brisson could have the momentum needed to find his stride at the NHL level. He has scored just nine points in 27 NHL games through his six-year pro career.

Brisson still won’t be a direct match for Sissons’ impact. The 33 year old has had a productive start to his first year in Toronto. Sissons has recorded six points, 38 hits, and a 59.9 faceoff percentage through 19 games. His reliable, veteran presence has offered a security net next to Toronto’s top young forwards – Easton Cowan and Gavin McKenna. Nick Paul and Dakota Joshua took over the support role next to McKenna in Toronto’s Tuesday matchup, while Cowan has climbed to the top-line.