During the second period of the Leafs 4-3 loss to the Islanders yesterday, it looked as if Vesa Toskala took himself out of the game after letting in the last of 3 goals. Joe Bowan and Greg Millen speculated that Toskala was probably injured. Now we know that he is.
Vesa Toskala has been placed on IR with a groin injury, while John Mitchell has also been placed on injured reserve. Mitchell hurt his knee during the Islanders game. To fill the holes in the line-up, goaltender Joey MacDonald and forward Christian Hanson have been recalled from the AHL Toronto Marlies.
We have seen MacDonald already in the NHL this season for the Leafs. The interesting name to see is Christian Hanson.
In the AHL, Hanson has been producing at a point per game pace with 8 goals and 18 points in 18 games. Last season, Hanson played 5 games for the Leafs and scored a goal and added an assist. Signed out of college by Brian Burke, Hanson looked good in the preseason along with Tyler Bozak and Viktor Stalberg. With good numbers in the AHL and a big frame, could Hanson be the power forward the Leafs have been missing since the opening of the season?
I don't know if Hanson is ready for prime time yet, and I don't think it would right to expect the world from him. If he is ready to play at the NHL level (and at 23 years old, he could be) then Hanson would definitly fill a void for the Leafs. Toronto lacks a big bodied skill player that will go to the net.
I think Hanson will be a solid contributor for the Leafs one day. That day could be now if Ron Wilson is willing to give Hanson the opportunity. I think that Hanson would be a good player for the Leafs on the powerplay. Putting his 6'3, 203 lb frame in front of the goaltender could help, and having Hanson cleaning up after Phil Kessel's scoring chances would be good to see.
Of course, this all assumes he is up for the challenge now.
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