Toronto Maple Leafs News

Matthews was forced to leave Saturday’s game with an apparent left shoulder injury following a heavy collision with Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba. Matthews missed 20 games last season with two separate “upper-body” injuries and a right shoulder injury that cost him 10 games in March. This is obviously a huge blow to the Maple Leafs lineup as the third-year centre had 10 goals and six assists (16 points) in his first 11 games. Nazem Kadri will step up into a bigger role with Matthews sidelined and this puts added pressure on GM Kyle Dubas to get a deal done with RFA William Nylander.

Tanev missed the second-half of the third period on Wednesday and is questionable to play Thursday in Arizona. If Tanev and Alex Edler are both unavailable against the Coyotes, the Canucks will need to call-up a defenseman from Utica (AHL).

Benning was forced to leave Thursday’s game vs. the Bruins after playing just 2:27 TOI and did not return. With Benning out, Jason Garrison will likely return to the lineup vs. the Predators.

Benning was a healthy scratch vs. the Rangers on Saturday afternoon, but will replace Evan Bouchard tonight in Winnipeg. Benning has failed to record a point with a minus-3 rating in his first two games of the season.

Mermis spent most of the 2018 season in the AHL, where he had two goals and 17 assists (19 points) in 59 games with Tucson. He had a nine-game stint with the Coyotes and will fight for a spot as their No.6/7 defenseman in training camp.

Tavares walks away from the Islanders after nine seasons, in which he scored 272 goals with 349 assists (621 points) in 669 games. The 27-year-old signs with his childhood team, joining one of the best, young teams in the NHL. Tavares, Auston Matthews and Nazem Kadri is as formidable of a trio down the middle as you will find across the league. Over the last four seasons, Tavares is sixth in the NHL in points (306), tied for sixth in goals (136) and 22nd in assists (170). His cap-hit is now tied with Drew Doughty for the second highest in the NHL.

Benning is coming off of the best season of his young career, having scored is goals with 15 assists (21 points) in 73 games. The 24-year-old posted one of the best CorsiFor% (51.2) ratings among Oilers’ defensemen and graded out as the No.47 right-handed defenseman in the NHL according to Corsica Player Rankings—not bad for a third-pairing D-man.

Domi was acquired from the Coyotes in a straight-up trade for Alex Galchenyuk. Domi was selected No.12 overall in 2013 and has yet to fully live up to expectations after a great rookie season—18 goals and 34 assists in 81 games. Since then he has scored just 18 goals with 65 assists (83 points) in 141 games. Domi brings some physicality along with great playmaking ability to the left-side of the Canadiens’ lineup, where he figures to slot in behind Max Pacioretty.

Muzzin, who missed the final five games of the regular season was on the ice for Monday’s practice in a no-contact sweater and is a big question mark for Game 1. Muzzin is the Kings’ clear No.2 defenseman behind Drew Doughty and his availability during the first round will be crucial to the Kings’ success.

Mermis, 24, has two goals and 17 assists (19 points) in 57 games with the Roadrunners this season. He returns to the NHL, where he failed to record a point in seven games with the Coyotes earlier this season.