Maple Leafs Face Injury Concerns with Ekman-Larsson, Carlo Undergoes Surgery
A concerning evening for the Toronto Maple Leafs saw defenseman Ekman-Larsson sustain an injury during a game, requiring further evaluation, while the team also announced successful surgery for Brandon Carlo on a long-term lower-body issue.
According to head coach Craig Berube, the extent of Ekman-Larsson’s injury remains unclear, and a definitive timeline for his return will be established following a thorough medical assessment. The incident occurred as Ekman-Larsson attempted to gain control of a loose puck near the boards when he was inadvertently fallen upon by Sharks center Adam Gaudette.
The impact caused the blue-liner’s left ankle to bend at what witnesses described as an awkward angle. Teammates assisted the 34-year-old off the ice immediately following the play. Prior to leaving the game, Ekman-Larsson had logged just under 14 minutes of ice time and recorded one shot on goal.
Ekman-Larsson has been a key offensive contributor for the Maple Leafs this season, registering four goals and 16 assists for a total of 20 points. This point total places him second among Maple Leafs defensemen, trailing only Morgan Rielly’s 22 points.
In separate news, Berube revealed that Brandon Carlo underwent surgery to address a lower-body injury that has sidelined him for the entirety of December. The surgical procedure was performed while the Maple Leafs were on a recent road trip, and Carlo is expected to be out of the lineup for another month.
The Maple Leafs will undoubtedly feel the impact of these injuries as they navigate the remainder of the season. The team will need to rely on depth players to fill the void left by Ekman-Larsson and Carlo, and the performance of those players will be critical to the Maple Leafs’ success.
