Overview
- Toronto brought up William Villeneuve from the AHL’s Marlies on an emergency basis Saturday after injuries thinned the defense.
- Oliver Ekman-Larsson is expected to miss the game with what would be his first injury-related absence this season, and reporters noted other players are banged up.
- This is the 24-year-old’s second recall of the season and he still awaits his NHL debut after a brief stint during the Olympic break.
- Villeneuve has 28 points in 58 AHL games this year and holds the Marlies’ career assists record for a defenceman.
- Coverage differs on his draft year, with one outlet listing 2020 and another 2022, though both cite Toronto selecting him 122nd overall.