Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Mark Giordano suffered a head injury after crashing into the end boards during a game, as reported by multiple sources. He was helped off the ice by teammate Morgan Rielly and a trainer, did not return for the remainder of the game, and has been placed on injured reserve with no specific timeline for his return. Coach Sheldon Keefe disclosed that Giordano has a head injury but the extent is unknown, noting Giordano hit his head hard. In response to the team's defensive challenges, Mitch Marner was considered for playing right defense, a position adjustment also noted for TJ Brodie, with Keefe commenting on Brodie's better performance on the left side. Additionally, the Leafs had been in talks with the NHLDucks regarding Lyubushkin prior to Giordano's injury, indicating proactive roster management.
Maple Leafs notebook: Mark Giordano has a rough ending to a difficult month https://t.co/mmlvfXAIB7
Brad Treliving says Mark Giordano is going to be on injured reserve. Didn’t add any other timeline other to say he’s going to miss some time. @BodogCA
While Mark Giordano continues to be evaluated for a head injury, I'm told #Leafs were engaged with #NHLDucks on Lyubushkin front well before tonight's game started - so not any reaction or indication as to severity of the injury.
Keefe on Giordano: "It's a head injury. Don't know the extent of it." #Leafs
Matthew Knies on Mitch Marner's sneaky setup: "I kind of made eye contact with him, but I told him to take it. So I didn't know he was gonna go against my word like that. But, I mean, he's got a pretty good hockey brain on him." https://t.co/Tr4iBY78qB
Marner on his shifts on defence: "I’m just going where I’m getting asked. It’s a bit of a learning curve back there for me, but it’s pretty easy with Tommy (Brodie). He has great gap, great stick. Just trying to find plays and try not to make mistakes." #Leafs
Sheldon Keefe says Mitch Marner was a candidate to play right defence tonight even before Giordano got hurt.
No update from Sheldon Keefe on the severity of Mark Giordano’s injury.
Sheldon Keefe says Mark Giordano has a head injury and doesn’t know the extent of it. @BodogCA
Lawson Crouse is back on the ice for Period 3. Mark Giordano has not returned for the Leafs.
Not expecting anything different, but Mark Giordano is still absent as period 2 begins after that collision into the boards from the first period.
Mark Giordano helped off the ice by Morgan Rielly and a trainer after crashing into end boards. Straight to the room.
Giordano hit his head hard on the boards there. Yikes.
Sheldon Keefe on TJ Brodie moving back to the right side on a pairing with Morgan Rielly: “To me, he played better on the left side of late. But we’re in a jam right now … When you’re in a jam like this, you just have to fall on what has worked for you over time.”