The Maple Leafs lose the services of Ryan O'Reilly… for a long time

Head coach Sheldon Keefe said in a press briefing Monday afternoon that the name of the 32-year-old veteran will be added to the list of long-term absentees. O'Reilly, a former Stanley Cup winner, may not be available at the start of the playoffs, when the Leafs try to get past the opening round for the first time since 2004.

“We acquired to get him healthy and ready for the playoffs, and you know he will be,” Keefe said, as reported by the National Hockey League website. It's not so bad when you project yourself forward; with the nature of his injury, he won't miss a lot of time on the ice and he will skate.”

Keefe said O'Reilly was back in Toronto to see a specialist. He will have a better idea of ​​the length of his absence after this appointment. The pilot expects him to be even available for the last duels of the regular season.

Remember that to see his name registered on the long-term injured list, a player must miss at less than 10 games and be absent in all for at least 24 days.

A big loss

Saturday night, the former St. Louis Blues received the throw from his teammate Auston Matthews on the left hand, in the second period of a duel against the Vancouver Canucks. Visibly in pain, he immediately left the game.

Acquired at a high price by Toronto on February 17, O'Reilly has done well so far with his new team with five points in eight games . He notably scored a hat trick against the Buffalo Sabers on February 21, but has been dropped from the scoresheet in his last five meetings.

“We have seen enough of that in this relatively short period. what it can bring and we can use it in various places. As we have already mentioned a lot, you can see its impact on our team, ”recalled Keefe.

The Ontarian will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. By placing O'Reilly's name on the long-term injured reserve, the Maple Leafs will save $7.5 million in payroll.