Tyler Bozak is eligible to play; he’s just not ready.
Per TSN’s Jonas Siegel, Bozak will once again be watching tonight when his Maple Leafs host Nashville. The 27-year-old hasn’t played since Oct. 25, when he suffered a hamstring injury versus Columbus. Bozak was subsequently placed on long-term injured reserve, eligible to return tonight.
Though Bozak isn’t quite ready for action, the Leafs will have center Nazem Kadri back in the lineup versus the Predators after the 23-year-old served his three-game suspension for running over Minnesota goalie Niklas Backstrom.
Toronto (13-7-1) has won two straight after a three-game winless stretch.
#Leafs lines: JVR-Kadri-Kessel, Lupul-Smith-Clarkson, Raymond-Holland-Kulemin, McClement-Smithson-Orr, Extras: Ashton-Bozak-McLaren.
— Tony Ambrogio (@Tony_Ambrogio) November 20, 2013
Tyler Bozak said "I'm not going to jump in early" if he is not healed as hamstring injury is one that "will linger a little while." #Leafs
— Tony Ambrogio (@Tony_Ambrogio) November 20, 2013