Maple Leafs defenceman Mike Komisarek will miss at least three weeks with a small tear in a quad muscle, Leafs coach Ron Wilson confirmed after practice today.
The Leafs have recalled defenceman Carl Gunnarsson from the Toronto Marlies, but Gunnarsson will not play tomorrow night in Chicago against the Blackhawks. Garnet Exelby will take Komisarek’s place in the lineup.
Komisarek, the Leafs’ big prize this past summer on the free agent market, was hurt against the Detroit Red Wings last Saturday and played only six shifts against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night.
Komisarek has been placed on injured reserve.
“You don’t want an injury to somebody like Mike Komisarek,” Wilson said. “It’s not a major injury, but I think we are in better shape now. We have had solid goaltending. Will not hesitate to use Carl if a guy does not hold up his end of the bargain because I think he has a bright future.”
Meanwhile, Vesa Toskala will start in goal against the Blackhawks.
“Life is good,” Toskala said. “It’s nice to play. Jonas (Gustavsson) was playing good and the team was playing well, so it gave me a chance to get my knee 100%. I’ve had lots of practices. It’s a long season and there is still a lot of hockey left.”
Gunnarsson watched practice from the bench today. He had been packed to go on a trip with the Marlies to Manitoba, but was told by Marlies coach Dallas Eakins the travel plans had changed.
“The coach called me and said ‘You’re going with the Leafs,’” Gunnarsson said. “(My season) has gone not as well I was hoping for, but it has been getting better game by game.”
Gunnarsson had two assists in 12 games with the Marlies and was minus-2.
The Leafs also sent forward Jay Rosehill to the Marlies on a two-week conditioning stint.
terry.koshan@sunmedia.ca
