Music: {allcanada} Bolland hopes to return before Olympic break

Thursday, January 30, 2014

{allcanada} Bolland hopes to return before Olympic break

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TORONTO – David Bolland went through another morning skate with his Toronto Maple Leafs teammates for a game he wouldn’t play. But there were signs on Thursday that his return might not be so far off.

After leaving the ice, Bolland told Sportsnet that he was still hoping to play before the Olympic break kicks in at the end of next week – a proposition coach Randy Carlyle pegged at "50/50." The veteran centre has been sidelined since Nov. 2, when he had a tendon on the outside of his left ankle severed by an opponent’s skate in Vancouver.

"He looks like he’s moving quite freely out there," Carlyle said before the Leafs faced Florida at Air Canada Centre. "For the better part of the skates, he doesn’t seem to be affected by it. Obviously, there’s things that are going on inside that are taking a little bit more time. … We’re asking a guy to do something and his body is telling him another, and that’s when the push and shove comes where he can take it.

"Medically, it’s healed … it’ll be a pain issue for him."

Bolland was not quite as optimistic as the coach during a brief discussion with Sportsnet, but it’s clear that he’s now being seen as an option for the Leafs. For so long he’s almost been out of sight and off the radar. One thing that has to be lingering in the back of Bolland’s mind is the fact he doesn’t want to be rushed into anything, especially given the unusual nature of the injury.

The severed peroneal tendon essentially kept him off his feet for about a month, which obviously took a toll on his conditioning. He’s also had to resume skating with a specialized skate boot that is designed to limit the amount of chafing around the scarred area.

There might be a little less of a push to get Bolland back in the lineup with Toronto having had a strong couple weeks. After a disastrous start to the month, the Leafs now sit at 8-5-1 in January – a stretch that has included four straight wins at Air Canada Centre heading into the meeting with the Panthers.

Carlyle has been calling for improved play on home ice – he said earlier this season that he was tired of seeing visiting players greet their families and then leave with two points – and the Leafs have responded with some wins.

"We’re just trying to build an identity here and make it hard to play in our building," defenceman Jake Gardiner said. "Our fans have been doing a good job of that too and really getting involved in the game. Late in last game (against Tampa), when we scored that third goal, it was probably the loudest it’s been in here all year.

"We like that atmosphere and it makes it a lot easier for us to play."

Jonathan Bernier was expected to start in goal for Toronto against Scott Clemmensen, who backstopped Florida to a 3-1 over Toronto on Dec. 17.

The Leafs appeared to be going with the same lineup they’ve had intact since a win over Montreal on Jan. 18. With Bolland and David Clarkson (elbow) soon ready to return from injuries, changes aren’t far off.

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