Maple Leafs Make Last-Minute Lineup Change Ahead of Game vs Utah

According to multiple reports, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit is not playing tonight for Toronto ahead of the matchup vs the Utah Mammoth.

According to the Leafs, Benoit is out with an illness. In his absence, Dakota Mermis is filling in, currently on the third pairing with Philippe Myers.

An illness explains why Benoit, who had been practicing with the team earlier in the day, is now unavailable, as opposed to injury in which there would have been some sort of indication during the Leafs practice sessions.

Benoit had been in practice on the second pair initially with Jake McCabe, Ekman-Larsson has been moved up to the spot. It isn't known if Benoit will miss any games beyond tonight.

Benoit, 27, has two points in 13 games played this season for the Leafs, in his third season with Toronto.

Toronto have also changed in their lineup bringing back Matias Maccelli, slotting into the third line, with Sammy Blais a healthy scratch.

Earlier today, the Leafs sent Easton Cowan back down to the American Hockey League with the Toronto Marlies, with Scott Laughton off of Injured Reserve.

Laughton will be on the Leafs fourth line in what will be his debit for Toronto this season.

Toronto is already without defenseman Chris Tanev in the team's blueline, dealt another potential blow on defense, although positively likely not to be as long.