The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing a tough challenge ahead, as both David Kampf and Jake McCabe will be unavailable, at least for the short term, due to injuries.
Kampf left Wednesday’s victory over the Florida Panthers in the second period with an upper-body injury and did not participate in Friday’s practice. His absence leaves a gap in the Leafs’ fourth line as they prepare for their upcoming game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.
McCabe, a key defenseman for Toronto, was also absent from practice after being injured late in the game. He collided awkwardly into the boards after a hit from Carter Verhaeghe and later collided with a linesman following Matthew Knies’ goal. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube was unsure of the exact moment McCabe was hurt, but the defenseman’s presence is vital on the blue line.
McCabe has been one of Toronto’s most important players this season, often paired with Chris Tanev as the team's shutdown duo. His leadership, physical play, and penalty-killing abilities have made him a key asset. "It’s tough to say we can replace him," Berube admitted. "But Philippe Myers will step in tomorrow, and we just have to step up with him out."
In McCabe’s absence, Oliver Ekman-Larsson will pair with Tanev, while Myers will play alongside Simon Benoit on the third defensive pairing. Berube praised Myers for his straightforward, aggressive play and his ability to step up when needed.
Kampf, who has contributed five goals and eight assists in 59 games, plays an important role on the Leafs' fourth line. McCabe has posted career-highs with two goals and 21 assists in 66 games and leads the team in ice time with an average of 21:31 per game.
While both players are listed as day-to-day, Berube was cautious in offering a timeline for their return. "I can't really comment on that too much about how long it's going to be," he said.
