Make Leafs Make Roster Move, Signaling Key Forward's Return to Lineup
The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a critical roster move by assigning rookie Jacob Quillan to the Toronto Marlies, signaling a key player's return.
The Maple Leafs have a lot of injuries they are currently dealing with. Besides Anthony Stolarz missing the past month, the team is also without John Tavares, Matthew Knies, and Calle Jarnkrok.
Given that the first two are responsible for a large chunk of Toronto's offense this season, the team would absolutely love to have them back sooner than later. It's a positive then that the team made a roster move in order to open up a spot.
It's unknown if it will be Tavares or Knies, but given that Knies' injury seemed to be a little less severe (although that doesn't lessen the sting), it's a high possibility it'll be him.
Toronto Needs Their Injured Players Back ASAP
Whether it's their former captain or their break out power forward, one thing is for certain: Toronto needs one of them back at the very least.
Losing three in a row for the second time in January, the Leafs' once staunch offense has dried up. They've been outscored 10-3 during the skid, with only William Nylander, Auston Matthews and Bobby McMann finding the back of the net.
The addition of either player back would be a massive boost to Toronto's patchwork lineup.
Tavares, even in his older age and going into the season on an expiring deal, has been fantastic. This season, he has 20 goals and 22 assists in 44 games while also adding a blistering 16% shooting percentage.
Knies, coming off a break out season, is building upon that even more so this year. With 18 goals and 13 assists the young power forward has shown that he is going to be a key piece in the lineup for the next decade.
Given that Toronto's bottom line forwards have been basically non-existent this season with a staggering eight goals in 181 games, they need the firepower up front again.
Not to mention their defense has 11 goals combined and to put that into perspective; Quinn Hughes and Zach Werenski have 30 goals combined. They have not had any offensive production from a majority of their lineup, and if you can't score then you can't win.
Matthew Knies and John Tavares' returns can't come soon enough for the Maple Leafs, as the team has already lost their first place spot, with so much more to lose if they can't start scoring.
