The Toronto Maple Leafs have formally been eradicated from the NHL playoffs this season, and their closing six video games can be utilized as a testing floor. That’s at the least what the top coach Craig Berube‘s newest roster transfer suggests.
On Saturday, Toronto introduced it had recalled defenseman William Villeneuve from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
“D William Villeneuve has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies (AHL) on an emergency foundation,” the Canadian franchise announced.
The reason being the latest lower-body injury suffered by Swedish Oliver Ekman-Larsson. That mentioned, Berube confirmed Saturday that Villeneuve, 24, won’t play instantly and can start solely as a depth piece in case one other harm happens.
Even so, it will not be far-fetched to see Villeneuve lastly make his NHL debut, provided that the Toronto franchise is already out of playoff rivalry. His AHL numbers make it fascinating to see him on the highest degree.
Within the 2025-26 season, Villeneuve has appeared in 58 video games with the Marlies, recording three objectives and 25 assists for 28 factors. He has collected 64 penalty minutes, suggesting the younger defenseman brings a heavy bodily recreation — one thing extremely valued by Berube.
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Villeneuve had already been referred to as as much as a few Toronto observe periods throughout the Olympic break in February, however didn’t make his debut. On the time, the Toronto Solar interviewed him, and the defenseman revealed he was engaged on creating a extra direct recreation.
“I do not suppose my recreation has been precisely what I needed it to be. However I am turning a nook and attempting to deal with the final stretch of the season and be the participant that I do know I may be,” Villeneuve said. “It is about being somewhat bit extra direct. I feel my defending has been somewhat bit higher, however generally if you begin overthinking, you do not transfer the puck as fast.”
As with Villeneuve’s case, it can’t be dominated out that Berube remembers different Marlies skills for these closing regular-season video games, and even offers larger prominence to younger gamers already recurrently on the principle roster, resembling ahead Easton Cowan.
Maybe the Maple Leafs will discover a few fascinating options heading into subsequent season, which seems set to be a rebuilding marketing campaign.
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