Maple Leafs Recall Cole McWard

The Toronto Maple Leafs recalled right-defender Cole McWard on Sunday morning following an early exit by defenseman Morgan Rielly against the Montreal Canadiens. In a corresponding transaction, Toronto reassigned forward Vinni Lettieri to the AHL's Toronto Marlies.

McWard would make his Maple Leafs debut and 10th career NHL appearance if he enters the lineup. However, left-defender Dakota Mermis is projected to step into the bottom pair against the New Jersey Devils while Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson take on extra minutes.