Toronto Maple Leafs winger Kirill Marchenko has been ruled week-to-week with a lower-body injury, the team announced Wednesday.
The update came with a series of injury news from the Maple Leafs. In the more positive news, forward Dakota Joshua has been recalled from his conditioning loan and defenceman Chris Tanev has progressed to day-to-day as he nears a return to the lineup.
The team said that forward John Tavares, as well as defencemen Nick Blankenburg and Marshall Rifai all remain week-to-week with injuries.
Marchenko exited Monday’s game against the Calgary Flames in the early stages of the second period and did not return. Marchenko picked up the injury after being involved in an awkward collision with Flames forward Yegor Sharangovich while entering the offensive zone.
The 26-year-old forward was knocked down by Sharangovich and had his left leg caught underneath him before he went crashing into the boards.
Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller spoke to reporters after the 5-2 loss and did not give an encouraging update.
“I don’t have the full update, but couldn’t come back and finish the game, so that’s never a good sign,” Hiller said.
Marchenko has six goals and eight assists for 14 points in 14 games since being acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets alongside Miles Wood and Elvis Merzlikins last month.
The fifth-year skater inked a six-year, $75 million deal ($12.50M AAV) with Toronto after the trade, that is set to kick in at the beginning of next season.
Joshua, 30, sustained a core injury in the pre-season and has yet to suit up for the Maple Leafs this season. He went without a point in four games during his conditioning stint with the AHL`s Toronto Marlies.
Tanev was hurt during the team’s 6-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Oct. 10 and missed the team’s past eight games. The 36-year-old blueliner skated with a regular sweater on Wednesday after previously working in a non-contact jersey.
Tavares was injured during the team’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 15 and was given a week-to-week timeline for a lower-body injury. The 36-year-old centre has resumed skating in Toronto, but did not join the team for their current road trip.