Why the Maple Leafs recalled Dakota Mermis, Cole McWard from Toronto Marlies
The Maple Leafs made a few roster moves on Friday before heading west for a four-game trip starting Saturday in Edmonton.
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The Maple Leafs have made a couple of additions to the roster before they head west.
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The Leafs on Friday morning recalled defencemen Dakota Mermis and Cole McWard from the Toronto Marlies ahead of a four-game trip that begins on Saturday in Edmonton against the Oilers.
The moves come after defencemen Nick Blankenburg (upper body) and Marshall Rifai (lower body) were placed on injured reserve. Blankenburg was hurt during the Leafs’ 5-4 win against the New York Rangers on Thursday, while Rifai suffered his injury against Columbus on Tuesday.
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At practice at the Ford Performance Centre, Mermis, wearing No. 36, was paired with Oliver Ekman-Larsson. McWard, wearing No. 82, was skating as the seventh defenceman.
Mermis, 32, played in 11 games for the Leafs last season, scoring one goal. In 89 career National Hockey League games with five teams, Mermis has five goals and nine assists. In seven games with the Marlies this season, Mermis, a vital player in the club’s march to a Calder Cup last spring, has one assist.
“You want to play anywhere you are, whether it’s American League or here,” Mermis said about being thrown into the fire, potentially, against Connor McDavid. “Fortunately, and I guess unfortunately, I’ve been in this situation for the majority of my 12 years, of having to be very adaptable in terms of my role, my position, my whereabouts in a lot of ways. I’m looking forward to it.”
McWard, 25, was signed by the Leafs in free agency in July to a two-year, one-way contract with an average annual value of $875,000 US.
The Missouri native has played in nine NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks and New York Islanders, including three with the Isles in 2025-26.
Why didn’t the Leafs call up Ben Danford?
Leafs coach Jim Hiller said the club considered recalling 20-year-old D-man Ben Danford, but decided against it.
“I think the one mistake is you can make is maybe trying to rush people,” Hiller said. “We’ve got good options. (Mermis) has played a lot. He has played well, he’s a mature, strong player. He’s NHL-ready, I would say. We’re not worried about him if he’s to go in.”
There were several other injury updates provided by the team.
Veteran defenceman Chris Tanev remains out on a week-to-week basis with an upper-body injury, but will travel with the Leafs on the trip.
Centre John Tavares, out week-to-week with a lower-body injury, will not go on the road.
Forward Dakota Joshua (core injury) remains on a conditioning loan with the Marlies.
Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky did not practise on Friday as he had a scheduled day off.
After facing McDavid, former coach Mike Babcock and the rest of the Oilers on Saturday, the Leafs will visit the Calgary Flames on Monday, the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday and the Vancouver Canucks on Halloween next Saturday.
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