Roman Polak News
Polak has been out of the lineup since November 2nd, but will replace Connor Carrick tonight vs. the Capitals. The Maple Leafs are putting an emphasis on a heavy lineup tonight, so the big 6-foot-1, 235 lbs. defenseman will play his sixth game of the season.
Polak had one assist in four games since signing with the Maple Leafs, but was a healthy scratch on Wednesday. He will draw back into the lineup tonight, replacing Connor Carrick.
After signing a one-year deal on Sunday, Polak will immediately draw into the lineup on Monday. Polak is expected to replace Connor Carrick and should be paired with Andreas Borgman. Polak will likely play a big role on the Maple Leafs’ penalty kill.
Polak appeared in 75 games with the Maple Leafs last season, posting just 11 points (4G / 7A) and averaging 17:55 TOI/GM—including a team-high 2:54 TOI/GM on the penalty kill. The Maple Leafs have been leaning heavily on Ron Hainsey and Nikita Zaitsev on the PK, so Polak has likely been signed to ease that burden on those two.
Polak missed the last two games with a suspension, but will draw in for Alexey Marchenko tonight vs. the Panthers. Polak has just four goals and four assists (eight points) in 67 games this season.
Polak had 13 points (1G / 12A) in 55 games with the Maple Leafs before they traded him to San Jose prior to last year’s NHL Trade Deadline. After the deal he only added three more assists, but the 16 points was the second highest total of his NHL career. He is known more for his bear-like strength and defensive abilities opposed to what he can or can’t do with the puck.
Polak is a pending unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, but provides the Sharks’ with depth on the blueline for a playoff push. Polak has 13 points (1G / 12A) in 55 games, led the Maple Leafs in blocked shots (102) and was second in hits (220).
Polak has reportedly been playing with pain for awhile now, but said he hit a wall on Saturday and it is too much to play through now. He will undergo surgery and miss the rest of the season. Petter Granberg has been recalled to fill-in for Polak.
Polak took part in Leafs practice on Wednesday and could be back in the lineup tomorrow vs. Carolina. He has been sidelined with a knee injury since November 22nd. Monitor his status in the morning skate.
Polak has been sidelined with a strained left knee since November 22nd. He was scheduled to miss four weeks, which would put him on track to return a week from tomorrow. Since he just returned today, it looks like he will be out passed that original timetable, but this is a positive sign for the Maple Leafs’ blue line.
Polak was injured on Saturday on an attempted hit on Red Wings’ forward Tomas Tatar. Polak’s timetable is not definite at this time, but he is expected to muss about one month. Korbinian Holzer was recalled on Monday.
Polak missed practice on Wednesday with the flu, but is back on the ice this morning and will be in the lineup vs. the Avalanche.
After playing over 20 minutes in the Leafs’ loss to the Coyotes last night, Polak was not on the ice for practice this morning due to the flu. He is still expected to play tomorrow.
Polak, 28, is 6-foot-1, 225 lbs. and plays a very safe, stay-at-home defensive style. The Leafs blueline was questionable at times in 2013-14, but now they can slide the physical Polak beside Jake Gardiner or Morgan Rielly and allow them to play more offence while Polak provides a steady presence in the defensive zone.
Polak has missed the last 10 games with a partially fractured left ankle. "I think I'm pretty close," Polak said. "I think I have the green light to go. I don't know when ... if it's going to be tomorrow, the day after. I'm going to do whatever I can to get back in the lineup and we'll see what the coaches decide." Head coach Ken Hitchcock said that Polak will be re-evaluated Tuesday morning.
The injury was suffered in the second period of Thursday's game and is believed to be ankle related. Polak has been placed on IR and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. The club is not recalling a defenseman at this point.
Polak is also ready to go when the season kicks off.