The Toronto Maple Leafs once again enter the 2024/25 season with Stanley Cup or bust expectations, and after a solid 2-1-0 start to the campaign, they're showing traits of a very good team. Unfortunately, they've also dealt with some unfortunate absences, with Timothy Liljegren, Joseph Woll, and John Tavares already missing time through the team's first three games.
Now, with a key stretch of early season games coming up, Head Coach Craig Berube has provided updates on all three, starting with goaltender Joseph Woll, who is taking to the ice today and potentially may make his season debut at some point this week.
Next is defenseman Timothy Liljegren, who has become an intriguing trade chip in recent times for Toronto, with Berube seemingly predicting that of the three, he is the most likely to return to the lineup on Wednesday.
Finally former Maple Leafs captain John Tavares, who has been ill rather than injured, with Berube noting that he is getting better, but still may not be good enough to return to the ice for Wednesday's home clash with the Los Angeles Kings, with updates to come over the next 48 hours as the team look to get a key piece of their lineup back on the ice.
Ultimately, the team has had plenty of success even with absences, showing that their significantly improved depth this off-season is finally helping the team, but if they want any shot at the Stanley Cup, they need to get healthy and get rolling as the season goes on, with the team expected to be a genuine threat down the stretch in 2024/25.
POLL | ||
Which of these three Maple Leafs will return to the lineup first? | ||
Timothy Liljegren | 14 | 13.1 % |
John Tavares | 80 | 74.8 % |
Joseph Woll | 13 | 12.1 % |
List of polls |