Leafs’ Kirill Marchenko out week-to-week with lower-body injury

A heavy amount of injury news in The Six.

On Wednesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that forward Kirill Marchenko is considered week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

On top of that, the Maple Leafs revealed that forward Dakota Joshua has been recalled from his conditioning loan to the team’s American Hockey League franchise, the Toronto Marlies.

Marchenko suffered a lower-body injury during Monday night’s loss to the Calgary Flames. During the second period, the 26-year-old fell awkwardly into the boards after receiving a hit from Flames forward Yegor Sharangovich. Marchenko trudged off the ice in pain, walked down the tunnel to the Leafs’ dressing room and didn’t return to the contest.

Marchenko has been a solid addition to Toronto’s lineup since the Original Six franchise received him in a preseason blockbuster trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets. In 14 games thus far, he has posted six goals and 14 points. While the Leafs had to give up a young Matthew Knies to make the deal happen, early returns are positive for the Russian winger.

In 307 career regular-season NHL games, Marchenko has collected 108 goals and 222 points.

The Leafs had updates on a couple of other players who are on the shelf. Defenseman Chris Tanev remains out of action with an upper-body injury, but is considered day-to-day after returning to practice. Forward John Tavares and defender Marshall Rifai are also week-to-week with lower-body injuries. Defenseman Nick Blankenburg, who was placed on injured reserve last week, remains week-to-week with a UBI as well.

The Maple Leafs (7-5-2) look to get back in the win column on Wednesday night, when they visit the Seattle Kraken.