Maple Leafs’ Morgan Rielly out Friday vs. Sabres, could return Saturday

The Toronto Maple Leafs were already entering the weekend without Chris Tanev, and now they’re forced to play Friday with another notable absence on the blue line.

Leafs head coach Craig Berube announced that Morgan Rielly will not suit up against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night. Rielly skated at Toronto’s optional practice on Friday and could still possibly play Saturday night for the second of the back-to-back, Berube added.

Rielly was already considered questionable for Friday’s game, dealing with an injury he had suffered on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. No details have been given on what Rielly is dealing with, nor its severity. That being said, considering he played the full game Tuesday, skated Friday, and is still a possibility for Saturday, there’s good reason to believe it’s nothing too serious and the Leafs are just being cautious.

Through seven appearances so far this season, Rielly is off to a strong offensive start, with two goals and four assists. As is expected of the veteran, he is eating key minutes for Toronto, averaging 22:11 TOI per game.

Next to Rielly on the sidelines for Friday’s match is Tanev, who also suffered an injury against the Devil on Tuesday, for which he had to exit the game. Tanev was placed on injured reserve Thursday with an upper-body injury, retroactive to Tuesday. If he’s healthy, the 35-year-old is eligible to return as early as October 29th, when the Leafs are scheduled to face the Columbus Blue Jackets.

In the place of the absent Rielly and Tanev, Dakota Mermis has been called up from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Mermis had one assist in three appearances with the Maple Leafs last season. The 31-year-old has 78 career NHL appearances, with four goals and nine assists. With two defensive slots to fill, seventh D-man Philippe Myers is also expected to make his first Maple Leafs appearance this season tonight.

Anthony Stolarz will get the start in net on Friday, meaning Cayden Primeau will likely start Saturday. Stolarz and Toronto’s defence will have to overcome the loss of two key defenders, as they aim to get back in the win column against the struggling Sabres. Puck drops from KeyBank Center at 7 pm ET.