Leafs send Mrazek to AHL, Kase returns, Rielly absent and Marner unhappy with Muzzin

The Toronto Maple Leafs are making the most of the 2021-22 season at the quarter-mark, making whatever improvements they can in an attempt to change their postseason fate.

The Leafs currently sit atop the overall NHL standings, deadlocked with the Florida Panthers at 35 points through 24 games, with the Panthers having one game in the bank.

While the Leafs have enjoyed a very successful campaign thus far, they have experienced their fair share of adversity as well - especially when it comes to newly signed Petr Mrazek, who has spent almost the entire 2021-22 season on the sidelines due to groin issues.

On Friday, the Leafs announced that Mrazek is ready to return, though he will do so on a conditioning stint with the AHL's Toronto Marlies to get up to speed.

Mrazek has appeared in just two games for the Leafs this season, posting a forgettable 4.20 GAA and a .877 SV%.

In other Leafs news, it appears as though winger Ondrej Kase is ready to make his way back into the lineup after missing the team's last 3 games. Kase had been banged up during the team's 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on November 24th.

Finally, Morgan Rielly, who has been excellent for the Leafs since signing his 8-year, $60M deal, missed Leafs practice on Friday.

Per TSN's Mark Masters, 21-year-old Rasmus Sandin was skating with T.J. Brodie on the team's top pair, which, if Rielly is forced to miss time, could be a massive opportunity for the young Swede.

**Update**

Rielly is expected to play against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night. His absence from practice on Friday is due to a maintenance day after blocking a shot on the California road trip.

Jake Muzzin skated with usual partner Justin Holl and Travis Dermott shifted back over to the left side, with Timothy Liljegren skating next to him on the right.

While on the subject of the defense, and Jake Muzzin in specific, apparently he and winger Mitch Marner had collided during a drill at practice on Friday, with Marner taking exception to the contact.

In the video below, you can see Marner giving Muzzin the gears, clearly unhappy with the situation. He would depart the ice surface shortly thereafter with a member of the team's medical staff.

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