Toronto Maple Leafs Forward May Be Out Long-Term

The Toronto Maple Leafs started practice on Monday and did so without forward Ondrej Kase. The veteran forward took a scary hit to the head on Saturday night and could now miss significant time.

Kase is undergoing testing after being hit in the head on Saturday night. Kase, of course, has significant concussion history. If both Kase and Sandin are out for significant time, roster spots and LTIR space potentially open up.
— Bobby Margarita (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 21, 2022

As Bob McKenzie of TSN points out, if Kase does end up on the LTIR, it allows the Maple Leafs to have more money to work with prior to the 3pm deadline on Monday. Unfortunately, Kase has a history of concussion problems and the team will certainly be as cautious as possible.

In his first season with the Maple Leafs, Kase has been everything as advertised, playing an in your face style and he's easily become a fan favorite with Leafs Nation. In 50 games so far in 2021-22, the 26-year-old has recorded 14 goals and 27 points, playing mostly on the team's third line with childhood best friend David Kampf.

Kase is a pending restricted free agent who is making $1.25 million against the cap. This time of year every cent counts and look for the Maple Leafs to get the latest news on his injury to then make a decision on acquiring another player. The phones are working overtime today, as Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas is doing whatever he can to upgrade his team. Look for Toronto to be in on a veteran goaltender, depth defensemen and a second-line left-winger.

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