Maple Leafs call up Timothy Liljegren after Cody Ceci ruled out indefinitely

When Toronto Maple Leafs fans saw defenceman Cody Ceci making his way down the tunnel back to the dressing room during play on Wednesday night, speculation ran a little wild about the possible reasons why.

There was a trade that followed shortly after the loss to the New York Rangers, but Ceci’s early exit from the game was a health-related concern. Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas clarified Ceci’s status to the media on Thursday, revealing that an ankle injury will keep the 26-year-old off the ice and on injured reserve.

In a corresponding move, the Maple Leafs called up Timothy Liljegren from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.

The @MapleLeafs have recalled defenceman Timothy Liljegren from the @TorontoMarlies (AHL).

Cody Ceci is out indefinitely with an ankle injury and will be placed on injured reserve. He will be re-evaluated in one month.#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/62XNc8N6ux

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 7, 2020

Ceci has been the target of a fair share of scorn in his first season with the Maple Leafs. He has picked up eight points in 54 games while averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game. He’s moved up and down the defensive pairings, from playing top-line minutes with Morgan Rielly to partnering with rookie Rasmus Sandin.

There are roughly two months remaining in the season, so it will be of note to see where the Maple Leafs are in the standings when the time comes to re-evaluate how Ceci may or may not fit back into the lineup. Toronto is currently one point back of the Florida Panthers for third in the Atlantic Division and two points back of the final wild-card spot.

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