Joe Thornton has brought the entertainment on the Toronto Maple Leafs' mentors trip. Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews brought the 45-year-old along on the trip. The two have grown close since Thornton played for the Maple Leafs in the 2020-21 season.
When Steven Lorentz glanced at the lineup chart on Monday morning ahead of Toronto Maple Leafs practice, he was a little surprised. Instead of his name being down on the fourth line beside David Kampf and Connor Dewar,
By the third period, the Leafs put their entire lineup in a blender.
The Maple Leafs announced that they’ve placed center John Tavares on injured reserve with the lower-body injury he suffered in practice Wednesday, ruling him out of the club’s next four games. Youngster Fraser Minten was recalled from AHL Toronto in a corresponding transaction and will likely suit up in Thursday night’s game against the Devils.
With Tavares out for at least four games, a Maple Leafs team that was already light on centre depth will now see its options tested.