Music: {allcanada} Maple Leafs place Bozak on IR with oblique strain

Thursday, December 5, 2013

{allcanada} Maple Leafs place Bozak on IR with oblique strain

The Toronto Maple Leafs placed center Tyler Bozak (oblique strain) on injured reserve Thursday. An MRI for Bozak revealed the injury and coach Randy Carlyle told reporters at the morning skate it will keep him out for an "extended period of time."

Bozak was hurt during a 4-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. He recently returned from a hamstring injury that cost him 12 games. He has 11 points, a plus-5 rating and is averaging 21:04 of ice time in 16 games.

The injuries continue to pile up around the Maple Leafs as they prepare to play host to the Dallas Stars on Thursday. Although Phil Kessel (undisclosed) will play, Joffrey Lupul (groin strain), and Dave Bolland (severed Achilles tendon) are out. Colton Orr had a procedure done on a bursa sac in his elbow and was also placed on IR.

"It's very frustrating and disappointing that we're going through the rash of injuries that we are now," Carlyle said. "But it's really not time to talk about the injured players. It's time to talk about the players that we have in our lineup -- there's opportunities made available."

To add depth to the roster, the Maple Leafs recalled forward Jerry D'Amigo from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. Forward Jerred Smithson was assigned to the Marlies to make room for D'Amigo.

"It's a great opportunity for me to get my first shot here," D'Amigo said. "Hopefully I'm not too nervous."

The Stars are banged up as well. Ryan Garbutt (lower body) is out. Tyler Seguin (concussion) was on the ice Thursday morning and is a game-time decision.

"I've guessed on these situations a lot of times before, and it's encouraging that [Seguin] felt good [Wednesday] and he felt good today," Ruff said. "He gets through the rest of the day and we'll see where he is tonight."

Here's how the Stars and Maple Leafs could line up:

STARS

Jamie Benn – Tyler Seguin –Rich Peverley

Ray Whitney – Cody Eakin – Alex Chiasson

Antoine Roussel – Vernon Fiddler – Dustin Jeffrey

Erik Cole – Shawn Horcoff – Valeri Nichushkin

Alex Goligoski – Trevor Daley

Brenden Dillon – Jamie Oleksiak

Kevin Connauton – Sergei Gonchar

Kari Lehtonen

Dan Ellis

Scratched: Jordie Benn