The injury news for the Maple Leafs’ depth defencemen is worse than first believed.
Carl Dahlstrom will require shoulder surgery, requiring a six-month recovery, while Jordie Benn will be out a minimum of three weeks with a groin issue. Both mishaps occurred in Monday’s 3-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens.
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Coach Sheldon Keefe got the MRI results back for both players before the Leafs departed Friday afternoon for a game in Belleville against the Ottawa Senators.
“Bad news on that (Dahlstrom) front,” Keefe said. “I haven’t spoken to him yet, but there’s never a good time for something like that, particularly when you’ve come off a summer of training and competing for a spot in the NHL.
“And it takes a shot at our depth as well.”
Swedish veteran Dahlstrom saw time with the Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks, before working his way through the AHL Marlies to get a late season chance with the Leafs last spring. At 6-foot-4, 231 pounds, he was a dark horse to fill in a physical role this season with the departure of Ilya Lyubushkin. He has a US$750,000 cap hit the Leafs can claim relief.
For the 35-year-old Benn, Keefe said the three-week recovery was actually better than he expected. But it’s likely going to be hard for Benn to find a full-time role once the Leafs settle on whatever six or seven blueliners they’ll go with in early October.
Rasmus Sandin’s signing on Thursday likely settles six jobs with Morgan Rielly, TJ Brodie, Jake Muzzin, Mark Giordano and Justin Holl. Victor Mete is still in camp and then it’s down to some of the Marlies who are trying out until either Benn returns or Timothy Liljegren (hernia surgery) is ready in late November. Muzzin has resumed practice after a few days off to work through some back discomfort.
There is also the option of obtaining outside help with the never-ending rumours about Arizona trading Jakob Chychrun.
The Leafs are also looking at certain game situations where forwards, such as right winger Mitch Marner, could drop back and play defence.
lhornby@postmedia.com