Maple Leafs Receive Some Encouraging News

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be welcoming back Joe Thornton to their lineup on Monday as the team takes on the struggling Ottawa Senators. Thornton has missed 10 games since getting sidelined with a rib injury and over that span the Leafs record was 8-1-1.

Needless to say they carried on just fine without Thornton as Zach Hyman enjoyed spending time with Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews on the team's top-line. With Thornton back in the lineup, some thought Hyman would stay, but as coach Keefe points out, they are sticking with the plan and 'Jumbo' gets the top-line nod.

I think the line had enough success and did enough good things in that short window that I didn’t want just an unfortunate injury to Joe to disrupt what was our plan to go with at the start of the season. I don’t think the sample was big enough to make any real determinations either way, for the matter. But we want to give it a little more runway here and we’re obviously hoping that it can stick - Leafs Coach, Sheldon Keefe

Hyman will now slide down to the Leafs' second-line with William Nylander and John Tavares. This being a contract year is extremely important for Hyman as he tries to secure the bag with a long-term deal in the neighborhood of $5 million a year, which would double his salary from this season.

As for Thornton, he couldn't be more excited to get back with Marner and Matthews and knows these opportunities don't come by you every day:

Feels good. Obviously two very talented players that are playing really well right now, so I’m just hoping to keep the good play going I guess.

Leafs play the Ottawa Senators three times in the next four nights. If it doesn't work for Thornton/Marner/Matthews this week, expect to see some adjustments.

Photo credit:  Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire