The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a significant move by recalling forward Benoit-Olivier Groulx from the Toronto Marlies. This decision comes ahead of the Maple Leafs’ game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre, where Groulx may have the opportunity to play in front of family and friends.
Benoit-Olivier Groulx’s Impressive Season
At 26 years old, Groulx has been enjoying a successful season with the Marlies, demonstrating his skills with 27 goals and 50 points in 54 games. He was drafted in the second round by the Anaheim Ducks in 2018 and has prior NHL experience, having played for the Ducks during the 2021-2022 season. In 18 NHL games, he tallied one goal and two assists.
Groulx’s Performance Statistics
- Goals: 27
- Points: 50
- Games Played: 54
- NHL Experience: 18 games, 1 goal, 2 assists
Barkov Returns to Training
In other NHL news, Aleksander Barkov, captain of the Florida Panthers, has returned to training for the first time this season. Barkov is recovering from a torn anterior and medial collateral ligament sustained in September. During practice, he wore a no-contact yellow jersey and skated before his teammates arrived on the ice.
Barkov’s Recovery Timeline
Initially, Barkov faced a recovery timeline of seven to nine months following knee surgery. The Panthers have yet to confirm if he will return this season. Despite challenges, Barkov had an impressive performance last year, accumulating 71 points in 67 games and 782 points in 804 NHL games overall.
Injury Updates Across the League
Several teams are managing injury concerns. Sam Girard and Kevin Hayes remain day-to-day due to upper body injuries, while Ryan Graves, who missed recent training, is expected to play shortly. Brazeau is also sidelined for a minimum of two weeks even while having a standout season with 16 goals and 30 points in 48 games.
Additional Player Updates
- Sydney Crosby: Back on the ice after a lower body injury sustained during the Olympics.
- Neal Pionk and Collin Miller: Far from returning according to head coach Scott Arniel.
- Vladislav Namestnikov and Nino Niederreiter: Both skated but are still a ways from returning to play.
With 20 games remaining in the season, the Winnipeg Jets are currently five points away from a playoff spot.
