The first deletions from a massive Maple Leafs training camp roster came during medicals on Wednesday morning.
Centre Fraser Minten, who made the team at the start of last season and was doing so well in rookie camp playing with Easton Cowan and Nikita Grebenkin, will be out a while with a high ankle sprain suffered in the weekend rookie series in Montreal.
Defenceman Ben Danford, this year’s first-round pick, has been diagnosed with a concussion after a hard hit into the boards in a rookie practice last week.
General manager Brad Treliving said Minten likely will be gone weeks while Danford is improving.
Fourth-line forward Connor Dewar hoped to be close to ready for the start of camp, but is still recovering from off-season shoulder surgery and won’t be avaialble for now.
As expected, defenceman Jani Hakanpaa is taking it easy with a lingering knee issue and will not begin with the two practice groups of NHL-calibre skaters on Thursday, instead starting with a third unit of development players.
Also out are 2020 draft forward Ryan Tverberg (shoulder surgery) and two American Hockey Leaguers, Robert Mastrosimone (shoulder) and defenceman Jacob Bengtsson (groin).
Goalie Matt Murray completed his full recovery from bilateral hip surgery during the summer and could be the No. 3 goalie.
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