After suffering a high-ankle sprain earlier this week, Cody Ceci has been placed on injured reserve by the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team has recalled Timothy Liljegren in his place. Ceci will be re-evaluated in a month’s time.
Toronto is now without Ceci and Morgan Rielly indefinitely, putting even more pressure on their defensive group. With the trade deadline just a few weeks away it also may lead to even more urgency for GM Kyle Dubas, though after making a recent move to solidify the backup goaltending position he was clear the team is looking for a long-term fix on the blueline instead of targeting the rental market.
The real decisions will likely have to wait a week until they know a more accurate timeline for Rielly. If the star defenseman is going to be out for the rest of the season they can use his cap space to land a bigger name. Otherwise, they’ll have to leave enough room for his return off long-term injured reserve before the playoffs.
For Liljegren, this is the biggest opportunity of his young career. The 20-year old was selected 17th overall in 2017 but has played in the minor leagues for all but one game to this point. Arguably one of the better two-way defensemen in the AHL at the moment, he has 29 points in 38 games for the Toronto Marlies while being used in all situations. For a team that has been desperately searching for help on the right side, the right-handed Lilejegren may get a chance to stick around.
How much extra is it going to cost to get a potentially pedestrian D-man from a bottom-feeder now, young Mr. Dubas? Hey, maybe you can get a pretty good D-man as a rental, though, even if it will be costly…
Ceci is a plug. Having him out of the lineup takes pressure off the defence, not the other way around. I’d rather they play a blind man over CC.
Totally agree coldone,,,,Cc is gonna find Robidas island for the rest of the year,,,free up some nice coin
With Ceci out its addition by subtraction. It’s a cold thing to say but unfortunately he’s just not very good. And it’s incredible that they’re paying him over $4 million. Thank goodness it’s only a one year deal. He’ll be lucky to sign for league minimum next year.
CC’s deal is the end of Ottawa’s gift to him,,,,leafs only took him because they had too
wonder if he gets used in a trade to bring in a guy with term. ie a high pick, young roster player like Kapanen and Ceci for a d man with term off a rebuilding team (Dumba, manson)