TORONTO — Since signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the summertime, Philippe Myers has performed a grand whole of 12 minutes and 11 seconds for the crew — and that was approach again earlier than Halloween.
No marvel the membership’s common wholesome scratch couldn’t cease smiling Monday morning, realizing he’ll get a uncommon look within the Maple Leafs’ high 4 with Jake McCabe unavailable.
“You don’t need to see anyone get damage,” Myers stated. “This clearly means loads to me, and I have been affected person and attempting to be a superb teammate and hyping up with boys. They’ve been enjoying rather well, and it’s been enjoyable to look at. However I am excited to get in right here.”
Myers has been sitting so lengthy, the membership not too long ago loaned the 27-year-old proper shot to the AHL Marlies for a conditioning stint, a reminder of what sport tempo looks like.
“It’s not simple. However I’ve kinda been round. I’ve skilled it a bit of bit over time,” reminded Myers, who additionally did the NHL-AHL shuffle in Philadelphia, Nashville, and Tampa Bay.
“I believe I’ve a superb mindset for it this 12 months. And I am clearly grateful to be right here, and I am grateful to be across the guys, and I am simply tremendous fired as much as play.”
With the Leafs’ blue line locking issues down higher than anybody within the East (conference-best 2.61 objective in opposition to per sport), it took a slapshot to the aspect of McCabe’s head to present Myers a re-assessment.
Coach Craig Berube says McCabe’s absence for Monday’s tilt in opposition to the Chicago Blackhawks is precautionary: “I believe he’ll be nice.”
As a result of McCabe and Chris Tanev have mixed to type one of many league’s greatest shutdown pairs, Berube is juggling his high 4.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, a lefty with an extended stick, will be part of righty Tanev and be tasked with nullifying Connor Bedard’s high line.
Myers will get a terrific alternative alongside Morgan Rielly.
“He’s the most effective defencemen within the league, for certain,” Myers stated. “He’s bought plenty of talent. I’m gonna try to give him the puck and play defence.”
Berube needs the six-foot-six, 213-pound Myers to maintain issues easy.
“He’s a giant man. Can transfer nicely. Be bodily. Defend nicely,” Berube stated. “Morgan can transfer the puck. Simply play your sport. That is his sport. It is easy. You do not have to complicate it. You have bought a superb shot. Let’s use it tonight. You realize, we get alternatives within the offensive zone, try to be ripping it.”
In different harm information, forwards Max Domi and Max Pacioretty each skated for the primary time since stepping apart with lower-body accidents.
Domi is “shut” to returning, per Berube. Pacioretty shouldn’t be.
Depth defenceman Jani Hakanpää was retroactively positioned on injured reserve. He hasn’t performed since Nov. 16 and continues to be managing a foul knee.
Maple Leafs projected lineup Monday vs. Chicago Blackhawks:
Knies – Matthews – W. Nylander
Holmberg – Tavares – Marner
Robertson – Minten – Lorentz
Grebenikin – Dewar – A. Nylander
Rielly – Myers
Ekman-Larsson – Tanev
Benoit – Timmin
Stolarz begins
Woll
