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Toronto Maple Leafs: Morgan Reilly Update, Frank Corrado Will Play

By Chris Okrainetz

Dec 3, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) awaits the start of play against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 3-2 in a shoot out. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) awaits the start of play against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 3-2 in a shoot out. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly will miss at least one game with what is suspected to be an ankle injury. Frank Corrado will draw into the lineup.

After exiting early from Tuesday night’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs fans were holding their breath waiting for an update on the health of defenceman Morgan Rielly.

Thankfully, the initial update sounds somewhat promising. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, Rielly injured his ankle and the severity of the injury is questionable, which is why he is listed as day-to-day.

The injury took place early in the first period when Sabres forward William Carrier landed on his leg after the two players collided into each other while pursuing the puck.

Initially, it didn’t look good and fans were worried that Rielly could have possibly injured his surgically repaired right knee. The Leafs, who have been very healthy this season, seem to have avoided a potential disaster with their No. 1 defenceman.

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When speaking to the media on Wednesday, Rielly seemed to be in good spirits and was not wearing a brace or sleeve, which is also good news. Mike Babcock was straight forward with his update on Rielly, saying he was day-to-day and he’s not sure if he will be back by the weekend.

With Rielly set to miss Thursday’s game against the Rangers, Babcock announced that Frank Corrado will have an opportunity to play.

Corrado, who is fresh off a 14-day, seven game conditioning stint with the Marlies, will play in his second game of the season on Thursday. He will be paired up with Connor Carrick, while the other pairings will be Nikita Zaitsev with Jake Gardiner, and Roman Polak with Matt Hunwick.

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I’d expect the top pairing of Zaitsev and Gardiner to log heavy minutes again on Thursday, but Corrado should get his fair share of minutes too.

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