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TORONTO — Telling, isnâ€t it, that the Toronto Maple Leaf most enthusiastic about the return of Joseph Woll is the man who plays the same position.

“It was awesome. Just seeing his infectious smile,†said Anthony Stolarz, following Wollâ€s first practice with the team in more than a month.

“For me, just seeing him back of the net, we were just talking how we miss our goalie hugs.â€

Takes two to hug. Just as it takes two to give the Maple Leafs confidence in their crease.

As evidenced by the size of the ice bags wrapped around Stolarzâ€s surgically repaired knees after Fridayâ€s loss in Buffalo — enough to fill a Coleman — the 1A canâ€t welcome his 1B soon enough.

“Heâ€s a great human being. Heâ€s somebody whoâ€s been around this group a long time, and somebody who Iâ€m friends with very closely,†Stolarz said.

“Just to get him back, for us, could be a huge spark. Could give us a little energy.â€

Stolarzâ€s energy is lower than usual, his own coach said, as he readies to make his eighth start Tuesday in his clubâ€s first 10 games.

The 31-year-old has never had such a hectic start to the season. To ease the mental burden, the Leafs recalled Dennis Hildeby to back up Saturday, giving Stolarz a full night off to stretch, relax and just watch.

And while much credit is due to waiver pickup Cayden Primeau (two wins in two starts, both in back-to-backs), this roster depends on tandem goaltending to thrive.

Last year, Torontoâ€s goalies had the leagueâ€s fourth-best save percentage (.905); they have sunk to 27th (.873) this season.

That doesnâ€t mean Stolarz and Primeau are to blame. After all, the skaters in front of them are handing out Grade-As easier than a gym teacher.

But it does means that Wollâ€s return to action is critical — and must be handled with care.

“Awesome having him back,†Morgan Rielly said. “I mean, you want to support everyone. Over the course of a career a long season, we all go through things. In terms of playing a team sport, you want to be there for each other. So, this is a good opportunity for everyone to rally.â€

Woll, 27, took practice reps as Torontoâ€s third goalie Monday but was not made available to reporters. Absent since training camp while he dealt with a personal matter, Woll wonâ€t speak publicly until he is “comfortable†doing so, Brad Treliving said.

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According to the general manager, Wollâ€s conditioning is “fabulous.†He has been hitting the ice roughly every other day over the past two weeks while he was away from his teammates and has now had a couple days on the ice with Leafs staff.

An AHL conditioning stint with the Marlies will likely precede NHL action next month.

“I do have a date circled, but weâ€ll have to see what it is,†said Treliving, careful not to announce a deadline in case itâ€s missed.

“Weâ€re not going to rush it. Itâ€ll happen when heâ€s ready to go.â€

Stolarz was optimistic: “Heâ€s a true pro, so I donâ€t think itâ€ll take him much time at all.â€

All the talk Monday was that Woll needs time to get his reads back. He needs NHL practice reps and work dealing with net-front traffic and cross-crease plays.

There is also a mental side to sports, too, and Wollâ€s mind must be in a positive place before he starts a big-league game instead of Stolarz.

“(NHL players) deal with the same things we all deal with, right? It gets magnified because of the line of work theyâ€re in. Thereâ€s more coverage of it,†Treliving said.

“Iâ€m proud of how the organization has supported Joe, and we will for every player.â€

Ticked-off McCabe is the best McCabe

Berube credited the Leafs†“pissed off†attitude for fuelling Saturdayâ€s 4-3 slump-busting comeback win over the Sabres.

“Lost three in a row. Thatâ€s probably why,†Berube replied, before breaking into a devilish grin.

“If I lost three in a row and I was playing, I guarantee ya I woulda in got into two fights.â€

Ex-Sabre Jake McCabe put together his best two games of the season over the weekend, even without trusted partner Chris Tanev.

He blocked 11 shots, threw five hits, gathered an assist and — best of all — crushed Bowen Byram in open ice, then dummied challenger Alex Tuch with one punch.

“My record against Buffalo hasnâ€t been too great since I left them, so I was eager for two points,†said McCabe, summoning more emotion in one sequence than some of his teammates have all year.

“I think itâ€s been a little lacking here this first little while. Iâ€m certainly guilty of it, too, through the first five, six games,†McCabe said. “At the beginning of the year, sometimes you kind of dip your toe in the water rather than jump full in. Made it a mission here the last couple of nights to bring that side of my game out a little bit more, â€cause Iâ€ve certainly played better — and I know my teammates feed off it.â€

Nick Robertson agreed: “We need that energy.â€

So did Dakota Joshua: “Nice to see when someone can step up and do it all.â€

Joshua has skated for six seasons and three organizations of varying quality.

How does the power forward gauge the emotional level of these Leafs through nine games?

“Good, tough question. I mean, yeah, maybe thereâ€s a little bit of waiting early on for somebody to do something that swings the momentum or the confidence in the team. It’s just hard to put your finger on what exactly that looks like and how that comes to form,†Joshua said.

“Like Jake the other night — very organic situation that found its way to him, and he was able to contribute and give our team a boost for the night. So, itâ€s got to be different guys every night stepping up. Whether itâ€s a blocked shot or a big hit or a fight that turns the tide.â€

Does the emotional tipping point need to be organic? Or can you force it?

“It doesnâ€t have to be,†Joshua said. “It just seems like when it happens that way, thatâ€s when you get the best outcome. And then other times, itâ€s tough when youâ€re searching for it and it doesn’t happen. Then youâ€re sitting there like, ‘Well, s—.†Or pissed that it didnâ€t go that way. Doesnâ€t have to be organic, but thatâ€s usually when you get the best turn.â€

Death, taxes and Nicholas Robertson finding the back of the net after a night in the press box.

Turns out, the path for the snakebitten Robertson to score his first of the season was to bench him.

Seemingly forever the Leafs†12(½)th forward, Robertson was nicknamed “Scratch â€N Score†on Leafs Talk by J.D. Bunkis and lived up to the moniker by potting his fifth goal over his past six return-to-action games.

“You guys know itâ€s not a situation that Iâ€m foreign to,†Robertson said, after pounding a puck past Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in Saturdayâ€s win.

“Good for my confidence.â€

Robertsonâ€s jump on the sleepy half of the home-and-home versus Buffalo was noticeable — and no doubt inspired by his temporary promotion to Auston Matthews†top line.

Robertson, who learned where heâ€d be skating just 10 minutes before puck drop, logged a season-high 14:54 and deserves to stick in the lineup even if Nylander (lower body; day to day) is good to suit up Tuesday against the Calgary Flames. Berube liked his first look at Robertson–Matthews–McMann.

“Speed,†Berube said. “A lot of speed on the wings, getting on top of people. It was a good goal by Nicky coming in off the bench and finding that hole there; they made a nice play to him. But Nickyâ€s got speed, Bobbyâ€s got speed, Matthews (has) got speed. So, itâ€s a fast line.

“They got to just play direct and do their job off in the offensive zone and make sure theyâ€re responsible defensively.â€

One-timers:Tanev (upper body) and Scott Laughton (foot) are both on the road to recovery. They hit the ice on a separate sheet with return-to-play staff. Tanev is unlikely to play this week. Laughton is planning to be on the plane to Philadelphia this weekend and may practice with the team as early as Friday.… Calle Järnkrok was absent from practice and is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He took a hard shot off the foot Saturday…. John Tavares has 499 career goals. It would be sweeter to hit 500 at home than in Columbus or Philadelphia later this week.

Maple Leafs projected lineup Tuesday vs. Calgary Flames:

Robertson* – Matthews – McMann

Knies – Tavares – Maccelli

Joshua – Roy – Cowan

Lorentz – Domi – Blais*

Ekman-Larsson – Carlo

(*If Nylander plays, Robertson or Blais will get scratched.)

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Head coach Craig Berube said Nylander is a “maybe†to play after missing Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres with a lower-body injury.

It was the first regular-season game Nylander, who was a game-time decision and dressed for warmups, had missed since April 4, 2022.

He has recorded three goals and 11 assists in eight contests so far this season.

Meanwhile, Calle Jarnkrok is doubtful with a lower-body injury that he took a hard shot off the foot against the Sabres. In eight games, the 34-year-old has three goals.

After Tuesday’s home date with the Flames, the Maple Leafs travel to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets the next night.

Meanwhile, Joseph Woll returned to practice for the first time Monday as he continues to work towards a return to play following his leave of absence, which began during training camp.

However, Woll won’t be ready to play once his stint on long-term injured reserve is over, general manager Brad Treliving told reporters.

The goalie also skated with the team on Saturday, but not in a formal practice.

Woll is eligible to play for the Maple Leafs as of Nov. 1, but despite continuing to skate while away from the team, the goaltender will likely need to participate in some conditioning games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies before he returns to the NHL club.

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John Tavares scored his 499th career goal on a breakaway at 1:28 of overtime as the Toronto Maple Leafs snapped a three-game slide with a 4-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.

Nick Robertson, Matias Maccelli and Dakota Joshua provided the rest of the offence for Toronto (4-4-1). Cayden Primeau made 23 saves in place of the rested Anthony Stolarz. Tavares added an assist, and Matthew Knies had two of his own.

Tage Thompson scored twice and Bowen Byram had a single for Buffalo (4-4-1). Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 18 shots for the Sabres, who entered having won four of their last five.

Thompson and Robertson traded goals in the first period. Maccelli and Byram did the same in the second before Thompson and Joshua repeated the feat in the third to set up the OT dramatics.

The Sabres picked up a 5-3 victory over the Leafs on Friday in Buffalo to snap a five-game slide against Toronto.

The Leafs were minus star winger William Nylander, who was listed as a game-time decision, because of a lower-body injury.

Leafs: No. 1 defencemen Morgan Rielly was also a game-time decision, but was healthy enough to play after taking warm-up. Nylander sat out for the first time in 267 regular-season contests dating back to April 2022.

Sabres: Luukkonen made his first start of the season after missing the first eight games with a lower-body injury. Alex Lyon picked up Friday’s victory.

After the visitors went up 3-2 in the third on a Thompson power-play goal, Joshua tied the score with under seven minutes to go in regulation.

Tavares sits one goal shy of becoming the 49th player in NHL history to reach 500 for his career.

Sabres: Host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

Leafs: Host the Calgary Flames on Tuesday.

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Both Maple Leafs and Sabres players showed up at Scotiabank Arena sporting the same jerseys on Saturday afternoon.

Despite finding themselves in the throes of a home-and-home battle, players from both sides of the border showed up in Blue Jays jerseys to support the MLB organization they share an allegiance to.

The Blue Jays roster for Game 2 of the World Series (8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, Sportsnet, Sportsnet+) includes many Buffalo Bisons graduates from Toronto’s minor league affiliate.

Leafs players have made it a point to don Blue Jays gear as they get set for their showdowns, with the NHL relaxing its dress code over the off-season.

After Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. showed up to Game 7 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners in an Auston Matthews jersey, the Maple Leafs captain returned the favour with a Jays shirt ahead of Tuesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils.

The hockey clash that was originally scheduled for 7 p.m. ET was moved to 5 p.m. ET to accommodate the Fall Classic after the Blue Jays advanced to the World Series.

The Maple Leafs lost the first of two consecutive games against the Buffalo Sabres 5-3 on Friday. While the Blue Jays stopped the Los Angeles Dodgers to the tune of 11-4 in Game 1 of the World Series.

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William Nylander and Morgan Rielly are among a “few” game-time decisions for Saturday’s Hockey Night in Canada tilt against the Buffalo Sabres, head coach Craig Berube said.

Nylander exited with 5:51 remaining in the third period of Friday’s first half of the home-and-home against the Sabres and did not return for another shift.

The 29-year-old was shown on the broadcast skating to the bench slowly after taking a hit to the mid-section in open ice from Sabres forward Jason Zucker.

He has recorded three goals and 11 assists in eight contests so far this season.

Rielly, 31, missed Friday’s game with an undisclosed injury suffered Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils.

The exact nature of the defenceman’s injury is unclear.

Meanwhile, fellow blue liner Chris Tanev and centre Scott Laughton remain on injured reserve as the Maple Leafs look to snap a three-game losing streak.

Between the pipes, Cayden Primeau will get his second start for the Maple Leafs, with Dennis Hildeby set to serve as the backup. Primary goaltender Anthony Stolarz has been given a rest day after starting the last four outings, including Friday’s 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres in the first half of a back-to-back home-and-home.

Primeau, 26, last made an appearance on Oct. 14 against the Nashville Predators, earning the win in a 7-4 slugfest and finishing with a .867 save percentage.

He has spent the first seven seasons of his professional career with the Montreal Canadiens and has a 3.70 goals-against average with a .884 save percentage in 56 appearances.

After rejoining the team on Friday, goaltender Joseph Woll was back skating Saturday. Berube said that while it was great to see him on the ice but general manager Brad Treliving will detail Woll’s return to action.

Live coverage of the game against the Sabres will be available on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT.

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A quick mix of the things we gleaned from the week of hockey, serious and less so, and rolling four lines deep. In memory of Addison Barger making memories.

1.ÂWhatâ€s particularly troubling about the Toronto Maple Leafs’ uninspiring October is how nicely this was all laid out for them to find their traction in a post-Marner world.

Yes, 1B goalie Joseph Woll had taken an unexpected leave and fourth-line pivot Scott Laughton had suffered an unfortunate foot injury in camp.

But compared to other supposed Atlantic Division powers like Florida (Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Dmitry Kulikov) and Ottawa (Brady Tkachuk), who are missing key pieces long term, the Leafs were relatively healthy early.

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Moreover, Toronto has been gifted about as easy a schedule as a team can get through the first two months of the season.

Fifteen of the Leafs†first 21 games are at home, and what little travel they have is light. They wonâ€t change time zones until Game 19 (Nov. 15 at Chicago).

By strength of competition, a serious Cup contender should be using this stretch to stack points and create separation in the standings.

Of Torontoâ€s first 15 opponents, only two qualified for the 2025 playoffs — and neither of those advanced past Round 1.

“Thatâ€s totally irrelevant,†Max Domi counters, not buying the theory that this is point-gathering time. “Every team is hard to beat in this league, and anyone can beat anyone on any given night, and that’s the approach you got to have. So, letâ€s not look too far ahead here.â€

What is true is that the Atlantic tides appear to be shifting. The Lightning have sunk to the divisionâ€s basement, and none of the Big Three (Toronto, Tampa, and Florida) are in the top three. Only one Atlantic team (Montreal) has a goal differential above plus-1.

“I never look at where a team was at last year. It’s different this year, right?†Leafs coach Craig Berube said in the midst of a home-and-home against the Buffalo Sabres.

“I don’t ever look at an opponent, whether they made the playoffs last year or not, as somebody we could take advantage of. Like, it’s hard league. Every team is good, and you got to be prepared to battle and play the right way against any opponent.

“Buffalo has got a lot of talent. Buffalo is a good team right now, in my opinion. Theyâ€re starting to come; theyâ€re doing some good things. So, I don’t look at it that way. I focus on our team, what we need to do. We got to worry about where weâ€re going.â€

Fair. But to get to where theyâ€d hope to go, Toronto must take advantage of this kind schedule.

The fatigue and competition — not to mention the airmiles — are only going up from here.

2.The trade market is stagnant largely because so many teams entered the season targeting a playoff berth.

The one franchise we all circled as a true rebuilder, Pittsburgh (6-2-0), is tied for third overall. Which is to say, itâ€s a sellers†market.

And whoâ€s in the cellar?

The Calgary Flames, with one lonely victory in nine attempts and a minus-19 goal differential. Theyâ€ve dug the type of start that thin rosters canâ€t recover from.

Goalie Dustin Wolf is pointing out that he canâ€t put the puck in the net, and Cup winner Blake Coleman is using the phrase “must win.†In October.

Craig Conroy possesses two of hockeyâ€s most movable assets: a minutes-munching right-shot defenceman in Rasmus Andersson and a passionate two-way centre in Nazem Kadri.

We donâ€t always condone tanking, but this is a fine season to do so. And the way Calgaryâ€s going, theyâ€re accidentally tanking anyway.

3.ÂWeâ€re not sure which is more impressive: What (very) early Calder favourite Matthew Schaefer is doing for the New York Islanders (seven points in seven games while logging 22-plus minutes on the back end)? Or what the Islanders are doing for the kid?

Hope you caught three of Schaeferâ€s teammates rushing to his defence when the kid took a garbage hit in garbage time during the Isles†7-2 blowout of the Red Wings Thursday.

“Iâ€m sure you love this, eh? Iâ€m sure you love this as much as I do,†coach Patrick Roy grinned postgame. “Thatâ€s a team. Thatâ€s a team. Thatâ€s what you do for your teammates. Youâ€re there for them.

“I really love the way the guys protect each other.â€

“Iâ€d give up one of my children for a f—– win.†—San Jose Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky, who began the season 0-6

“Obviously, just want to apologize for my comments after the game. I love my kids. I would never give them up. I love my wife. Iâ€m a passionate, emotional person, and probably got ahead of me there, and so I apologize for those comments.†—Warsofsky, before winning a kid-sparing 6-5 overtime thriller over the Rangers

5.Have you seen a player more emotional during a Jumbotron tribute than Brad Marchand during his TD Garden homecoming this week?

The depth of Marchandâ€s care had us thinking about Team Canada and how fiercely the 37-year-old wants to make the Olympic squad.

Yes, there are younger, faster options Doug Armstrong could choose. But Marchand should be named to the roster, even if itâ€s as the 13th or 14th forward.

Heâ€s invaluable in the room. His work ethic is unquestioned. He elevates in the spotlight. (Marchand got my Conn Smythe vote, in a coin flip, over Sam Bennett.) And heâ€s defensively responsible and versatile.

If Canada loses a winger to injury, Marchand can play right or left. He can pitch in on a penalty kill or a power-play.

That heâ€s producing for the injury-riddled Panthers this season (10 points in nine games) despite facing harder matchups now that heâ€s not tucked on Line 3 shows heâ€s still got some jam.

If Iâ€m making the calls, Marchand is going to Milan.

6.Two of the most beautiful sweaters in hockey history got the reboot this week. The Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche honoured the cities they swiped their franchises from, by donning Hartford Whalers and Quebec Nordiques getups Thursday.

Even the style of play had a throwback vibe — lots of rushing river hockey and a 5-4 final.

The Avs, who are celebrating their 30th anniversary, will wear Nordiques threads six more times this season.

Aesthetically, we love it.

But between Colorado and Spartacat, you wonder if Quebec citizens — the ones with the NHL-sized arena but no team — wished NHL clubs would fleur-de-leave them alone and stop making money off marketing their logo.

7.ÂLeafs exec Shane Doan flashed a big smile Friday morning in Buffalo when we crossed paths ahead of the Doaner Bowl, acknowledging how fun it is to face his son, Josh, who is off to a fine start as a top-six Sabre.

Torontoâ€s Matthew Knies and Josh Doan grew up tight friends and rare NHL hopefuls in Arizona.

“Having a guy like him is what allowed me to kind of get to this level,†Doan said. “You have someone to practise every day with and to battle and compete with. Our coaches did a good job of splitting us up in practice, so we battled each other every day. Thatâ€s something that I think allowed both of us to be where we are now.â€

Doan and Knies first played each other in Utah last season, when Doan was with HC.

“I remember he took a penalty and we scored on the power play,†Knies grins. “I remember looking at the box, and he came out with his head down.â€

Doan responds: “He took a run at me last year and then laughed about it after.â€

Mutual fans, Doan and Knies stay in touch. They went out for dinner together Thursday along with former Leafs defenceman Conor Timmins and former Utah winger Matias Maccelli.

Doan jokes that Knies shouldâ€ve snatched the bill, considering his new $46.5-million contract. But “Timmer and Chelli†got stuck with the tab after losing the credit card game.

Shaneâ€s team lost Friday but can nullify family bragging rights with a win Saturday.

“Heâ€s ultra-competitive, and he doesnâ€t want to lose to me in anything, so he definitely doesnâ€t want to lose in hockey to me,†Josh says of his dad.

“Itâ€s harder for my mom than my dad. I mean, the Leafs are his team, so heâ€s obviously cheering for them, but sheâ€s got a split decision.â€

8.The Chicago Blackhawks gave up on in-and-out skilled winger Lukas Reichel, a late-first-round choice of 2020, trading him to Vancouver for a fourth-round pick.

Thereâ€s your trade market for Nick Robertson, who has yet to score and got scratched by the Maple Leafs Friday in Buffalo.

The Leafs pitched a Robertson deal for Blue Jackets winger Yegor Chinakhov, it was reported this week, but Columbus declined. Chinakov, too, has yet to score and has been scratched by his team this season.

A fourth-round pick doesnâ€t do either Toronto or Columbus much good when theyâ€re trying to put a better product on the ice now.

A change-of-scenery hockey deal makes too much sense when you look at the similarity of these two 24-year-olds†careers.

Robertson: 53rd overall pick, 163 games, 32 goals, 25 assists, 24 penalty minutes, 11:26 average time on ice.

Chinakov: 21st overall pick, 178 games, 34 goals, 38 assists, 36 penalty minutes, 13:52 time on ice.

9.All the emotion and honesty of Anthony Stolarzâ€s passionate postgame availability last Saturday evaporated by the time the goaltender stood in front of the Maple Leafs backdrop after Wednesdayâ€s loss to New Jersey.

“It was a really good effort by the boys tonight,†Stolarz began.

He then took ownership of a tough Jack Hughes goal, praised his teammates†backchecking and shot-blocking, as well as their effort in the offensive zone.

This after the Maple Leafs had been thoroughly outclassed.

Not sure if Stolarz simply regrets calling out his teammates and feels the need to overcompensate or if he had his wrist slapped behind the scenes.

Regardless, Stolarz needs to be at his blustery, engaged self for he and his team have a chance.

Chris Tanev compares Stolarz to Jacob Markstrom, an emotional goalie he played with in Western Canada.

“Heâ€s competitive, he’s fiery, and he wants to win,†Tanev said. “Markstrom, heâ€s hurt now, but heâ€s very similar. Sort of wear their emotions on their sleeves, and theyâ€re gonna say what they’re gonna say. And that’s because they want to win, and they’re the most competitive people youâ€ll see.â€

Thick-skinned Steven Lorentz says weâ€re seeing a more involved Stolarz than the one he played with in Florida, where Sergei Bobrovsky started the lionâ€s share of games.

“Thatâ€s a testament to the leadership role that heâ€s taken on, and that growth in him. And heâ€s doing exactly what he’s what he’s supposed to be doing. Heâ€s doing his job,†Lorentz says.

“He sees the whole play in front of him. He sees guys that are in the wrong spots. Or if he wants to see something a little bit different, then heâ€ll tell the guys. Heâ€s not a stranger to that. And I think we appreciate that, because it’s better that he says it and we hear it, and then we can address it,

“Heâ€s still learning and he’s developing as a leader, and it’s good to see it in a goalie.â€

10.Sheldon Keefeâ€s New Jersey Devils enter the weekend in first place.

Their power-play is scoring (32 per cent). Their penalty kill is stingy (93.1 per cent). And their even-strength play is quick and dynamic.

Keefe credits his group for finding â€œdifferent ways†to win. The second-year bench boss sees Jerseyâ€s PK as its foundation but also feels encouraged by the teamâ€s ability to come back in tight games and put opponents away when they grasp a lead.

“Itâ€s all been a good response to what was a very poor outing in Game 1 (a 6-3 loss to rival Carolina),†Keefe says. “Weâ€ve liked our results. But our process and our details and our structure — all these things have got to get to another level if we want to be able to sustain our play. So, thatâ€s what weâ€re talking about.â€

Keefe reflects on his first year with his new club, when he knew “zero people in the organization.†He didnâ€t meet GM Tom Fitzgerald until his first interview. He had history with none of the players on the roster.

“So, all of that was new, and we were trying to change the identity of the team and how they were playing,†Keefe says.

“Now youâ€re just starting from a different place. Youâ€re always kind of starting over in training camp, but you can get to things a lot quicker. Our practices have been a lot smoother. They know the drills. They know the expectations, the standards that we want to have in practice. And our leadership group is has been in sync with the coaching staff, and thatâ€s really helped.â€

11. You havenâ€t truly made it as a Russian immigrant in Montreal until you land your first poutine endorsement deal…

(Agent Dan Milstein, you may recall, also helped Ilya Mikheyev get that soup money in Toronto.)

12.ÂLindy Ruff characterizes the Buffalo Sabres†three-headed crease as “a good problem.â€

Callup Colten Ellis, 25, was stellar in his debut, and heâ€s likely to start Saturday in Toronto. Grinder Alex Lyon has posted a sparkling .922 save percentage through seven starts. And projected No. 1 Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been recalled from a successful conditioning stint and will start a game next week.

All of them — Ellis and Lyon, in particular — are on cap-friendly deals. All of them require waivers to get sent down. So, the Sabres are carrying all three.

“The question is, will UPL stay healthy? We canâ€t answer that. We got to stay in a place where weâ€re protecting ourselves,†Ruff explains.

“It’s not comfortable for us. I don’t think it’s comfortable for them. We got three guys that like being around each other, but I think every goalie wants to play.â€

The Sabres donâ€t want to lose Ellis only to watch Luukkonen go down again.

“What if we put him in and he has another setback? I think youâ€ve got to kind of run out every scenario and make sure that we back ourselves,†Ruff says. “And itâ€s a good problem to have. Frankly, Iâ€ll deal with that rather than not having a goalie.â€

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BUFFALO — The thing about adversity is you donâ€t get to choose when it hits.

William Nylander — the teamâ€s leading scorer (14 points) and most impactful ice-tilter (plus-4) this season — left Fridayâ€s 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres in the third after absorbing a hard cross-check from Jason Zucker, who was returning from an injury of his own.

Watching the Leafs attempt to dig out of another self-inflicted second-period deficit without their most reliable game-breaker at the ready provided a chilling snapshot of how swiftly depth can evaporate.

Could the durable Nylander — an expert at slipping hits who hasnâ€t missed a regular-season match since 2021-22 — miss Saturdayâ€s rematch at home against these plucky Sabres?

“Maybe,†coach Craig Berube said postgame, cautiously. “Yeah, weâ€ll see.â€

Through eight uneven and generally joyless games, the 3-4-1 Maple Leafs have screamed maybe and weâ€ll see.

Top offensive defenceman Morgan Rielly (undisclosed) is also questionable to play Saturday. Top defensive defenceman Chris Tanev (upper body) is out a week minimum. And who knows how much time No. 2 goaltender Joseph Woll needs to return to game shape?

On the heels of a three-game losing skid, is it safe to say Toronto is still searching for its full 60, its true identity?

“Yeah, I would say so,†said captain Auston Matthews in another downtempo post-game interview. “I mean, itâ€s never ideal when you lose guys to injury, especially key guys. And so, we got guys coming in that havenâ€t really played or are coming up with very short notice.

“Guys got to pick each other up, encourage each other and do what you can and fill those roles. But I definitely think weâ€re still trying to find our game.â€

Until injury struck late, Nylander — ushered in as the fixer to Matthews†underwhelming top line — enjoyed some impressive shifts with the top centre, who has endured a revolving door on his right wing since Mitch Marner left.

It used to be that the Maple Leafs conducted themselves with the swagger of a team that holds the active streak for playoff qualification (nine years runninâ€).

Odd, then, that they lose to a loose but energetic Sabres squad that holds the longest playoff drought and speaks so glowingly about their improving effort.

“The disappointing thing is, I thought we competed really hard and did a lot of good things, but there’s just too many mistakes going the other way, and too many odd-man rushes against. And they feed off transition. You get caught, and they make you pay,†Matthews said.

“Thatâ€s the most frustrating part, just because I thought we really played a hard game tonight. I thought we did a lot of really good things. I thought we were rolling four lines, just competing at a higher level, a level that we need to compete to win games consistently.â€

Coach Craig Berube agreed that his group played more to their identity, killing a 118-second 5-on-3 with gritty shot-blocking (take a bow, Jake McCabe), scoring a tic-tac-toe power-play goal, and earning a 12-8 edge in high-danger chances.

“I love the effort tonight. I thought a lot of good things. Competed extremely hard. You know, the back endâ€s banged up, but guys played hard,†Berube said. “They outscored us. Thatâ€s really the bottom line.

“This game here showed me the speed of our team when we play direct. The compete. The heaviness. Just tons of shots going towards the cage, puck recoveries, things like that.â€

The coach isnâ€t wrong.

Despite the dual debuts of depth D-men Dakota Mermis (dash-2) and Philippe Myers (dash-3), the Leafs did submit their best effort of the week.

Yet, Buffalo hung a handful on goalie Anthony Stolarz, who was again tested by some deadly odd-man rushes and breakaways.

“Itâ€s a lot for him,†Berube said. “We leaned on him heavy here, a lot of games, a lot of hockey played. So, Iâ€m sure he’s tired a little bit.â€

Stolarz has started seven of eight, the weightiest load heâ€s ever carried to begin a season. Heâ€s 2-4-1 with an .885 save percentage — and, funny enough, has arguably been the teamâ€s most consistent performer.

Heâ€ll get a well-deserved day off Saturday. But with Nylander and Rielly banged up, that only ups the urgency for backup Cayden Primeau to earn points.

“Just keep working. I mean, it’s an 82-game season,†encouraged Stolarz, speaking with two large bags of ice strapped to his surgically repaired knees.

“Compared to the last couple games, this game was a step. You can definitely tell the intensity was a step up for us. So, the great thing is, we get to go back tomorrow. We get to play â€em right back, right back in our own barn. Weâ€re looking forward to that.â€

Spin positive. Hope it leads to a positive result.

And cross your fingers that Nylander, the best right wing available, bounces back fast.

• Woll, who took a personal leave on Sept. 23, will be rejoining the Leafs and resuming on-ice activities.

Because Woll was placed on retroactive long-term injured reserve this week for cap purposes, the earliest he could suit up is Nov. 1 in Philadelphia. (Ex-Flyer Scott Laughton is also striving for that return date.)

Woll will need time to get up to speed after missing the bulk of training camp and the first 10 games (minimum) of the season.

The Maple Leafs are likely to give Primeau a couple more starts as they are staring at back-to-back back-to-backs.

“Heâ€s a great human being. Heâ€s somebody whoâ€s been around this group a long time, and somebody who Iâ€m friends with very closely,†Stolarz says.

“So, just to get him back, for us, could be a huge spark. Could give us a little energy. And just seeing his face around the room, it’s gonna be exciting. Great for us.â€

• Dakota Joshua emphatically celebrated his first goal as a Maple Leaf.

“Means a lot. I guess, more of a relief. Nice to get one,†the power forward said. “Itâ€s just the give and take of this game, right? It doesnâ€t owe you anything.

“You know, you’re with a new team, and you want to make an impact every night. And I havenâ€t had my best start to the season, so it was nice to get one.â€

Berube believes Joshua — who has a team-low minus-6 and was brought in to bang in some secondary scoring — is trending in the right direction

“Long way to go,†Joshua said. “Just got to keep working.â€

• Toronto has been trying to showcase the talents of Nick Robertson early this season — heck, the sniper has even been tapped for penalty-kill duty — but he was scratched Friday after failing to convert on any of his 15 shots.

“Heâ€s had some chances to score. Just has missed the shot, missed the net,†Berube said. “Heâ€s going to be fine. Heâ€s getting those opportunities. Heâ€s got to bury â€em.â€

Robertson is a minus-4 and has one assist.

He could return to action Saturday against these Sabres.

• The Sabres switched their goal song this season, as Mötley Crüeâ€s “Kickstart My Heart†narrowly defeated Cascadaâ€s “Everytime We Touch†in a pre-season fan vote.

Whenever the club wears its throwback red-and-black Goat Head sweaters, as they did Friday, “Song 2†by Blur blasts after the home club scores.

Great choice, and a nod to a mid-2000s musical tradition, as Blur soundtracked the Sabres†run to the Eastern Conference final in 2005-06.

• Oliver Ekman-Larsson looked inspired by his promotion to the top power-play unit in the absence of Morgan Rielly, logging a game-high 25:50 and ripping a team-high four shots.

The veteran mentioned back in training camp how heâ€d love to contribute more 5-on-4. He assisted on Matthews†power-play blast and sprung Nylander with a beautiful stretch pass for Torontoâ€s opening goal.

“Obviously, we want Mo out on the ice, and hopefully heâ€s back soon,†the dynamic lefty said. “For me, itâ€s stepping in and trying to do the best I can to help the team out. But obviously itâ€s nice to get a look there.â€

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Goaltender Joseph Will is rejoining the team and will resume on-ice participation and other team activities as part of a return-to-play process, the Leafs announced Friday.

The 27-year-old took a leave of absence back on Sept. 23 to attend to a personal family matter.

The Leafs did not provide a timeline for when Woll would be ready for game action.

Woll was an important piece in Toronto’s crease last season, playing a career-high 42 games with a 27-14-1 record, a 2.73 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage.

Though he entered the post-season as the backup, Woll started six games for the Maple Leafs after Stolarz suffered a head injury in Game 1 of the second-round series against the Florida Panthers.

Through his seven playoff appearances, Woll picked up a 3-4 record with a 3.56 GAA and a .886 save percentage.

Originally selected by the Maple Leafs 62nd overall in the third round of the 2016 Draft, Woll has made 78 career appearances in the NHL and has a career 48-27-2 record with a 2.74 GAA and a .910 save percentage.

With Woll sidelined, Stolarz has been pressed into duty as the main starter and he has a 2-3-1 record with a 3.01 goals-against average and a .894 save percentage through six games.

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BUFFALO — And now for something completely different.

The Toronto Maple Leafs (3-3-1), who are down half of their top four and are overhauling their top six, will dress a lineup Friday in Buffalo that hardly resembles the one that got run over by the New Jersey Devils three days ago.

Shutdown defenceman Chris Tanev (upper body) left Tuesdayâ€s loss early after taking a knock to the head and has been placed on injured reserve.

Top offensive defenceman Morgan Rielly (undisclosed) was also injured that night. He skipped practice Wednesday and Thursday but did take part, albeit briefly, in Fridayâ€s optional morning skate in Buffalo. He is a possibility to play Saturday.

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In the meantime, journeyman lefty Dakota Mermis was recalled from the Marlies, and righty Philippe Myers (a healthy scratch for Torontoâ€s first seven games) have been tapped to fill the void, and all three defence pairings will be tweaked.

“We all got to help out, right? I mean, simplify your game. And Buffalo is a good offensive team. Theyâ€re a good rush team, so they got a lot of skill,†coach Craig Berube said at KeyBank Center. “Guys are going to have to help out — five-man units and simplify the game.â€

If the changes on the back end werenâ€t enough, Berube is also mixing up all four forward lines in an attempt to nip the Leafs†losing skid in the bud.

Centre Auston Matthews will be gifted the clubâ€s best right wing and leading scorer, William Nylander, while the speedy, aggressive Bobby McMann earns a promotion to the top unit.

“They know each other well,†explained Berube, who had been bumping Nylander up for extra shifts already. “They do their thing, right? Theyâ€re good players. And Bobby McMann is playing well right now. I’ve liked Bobby throughout the season. So far, he’s skating well. He’s on pucks, physical. I just really like his speed on that line, so I think they’re gonna be fine.â€

Berube wants that trio to dominate in the Sabres†end of the rink.

“J.T. is a guy that, really, when you get a territorial game in the offensive zone with him, thatâ€s where he does his work, right? Heâ€s so heavy on pucks and strong, and he makes little subtle plays. And scores goals inside that slot area,†said Berube, a man in search of a spark. “With Knies, he can get in there and help on the forecheck and be strong on pucks. And Maccelli, his game’s getting better, in my opinion. He’s starting to see the ice better and making some plays.â€

The changes donâ€t stop there.

Max Domi returns to centre the fourth line after a brief tryout on Matthews†wing.

Nick Robertson (no goals, one assist) will serve his first healthy scratch of the season, as rookie Easton Cowan jumps back into the lineup — this time in a more defensive third-line role.

“I really like that young energy in there. Just, heâ€s got to be managing the puck. Obviously, he’s playing with two big guys (Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua) that are going to be around the net, and they’re going to be heavy,†Berube said.

“He’s just got to make sure he does a good job with the puck and plays with energy.â€

The only familiar thing about the Maple Leafs†lineup Friday?

Goaltender Anthony Stolarz starts, against Buffaloâ€s Alex Lyon, one of the three goaltenders the home side is carrying.

Stolarz is undefeated against the Sabres, boasting a career record of 4-0-1 and a .963 save percentage.

Maple Leafs’ projected lineup Friday in Buffalo:

McMann – Matthews – Nylander
Knies – Tavares – Maccelli
Joshua – Roy – Cowan
Lorentz – Domi – Järnkrok

Benoit – McCabe
Ekman-Larsson – Myers
Mermis – Carlo

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Chris Tanev was placed on injured reserve on Thursday, the team announced. Fellow blue-liner Dakota Mermis was recalled from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies in a corresponding move.

Tanev, 35, suffered an upper-body injury during Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils.

The shot-blocking specialist left the ice early in the second period after an inadvertent hit to the head by Devils forward Dawson Mercer. The back of Mercer’s head appeared to collide with Tanev’s face during a net-front battle.

Tanev stayed down on the ice for a few moments before skating off with the help of defence partner Jake McCabe and a team trainer.

Tanev is in the midst of his second season in Toronto after signing a six-year, $27-million deal prior to the 2024-25 campaign.

In 75 games last year, the rugged blue-liner notched three goals and 15 assists while blocking a whopping 189 shots — good for the sixth-most in the league — while averaging nearly 20 minutes of ice time per night.

Tanev has one assist through seven contests this season.

Mermis, 31, played four NHL games last season with the Maple Leafs and Utah, recording one assist.

For his career, the six-foot left-shot defenceman has appeared in 78 games with four goals and nine assists. He has also suited up for the Arizona Coyotes, New Jersey Devils and Minnesota Wild.

The Leafs’ next game is Friday in Buffalo against the Sabres (Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet+, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT).

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