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Nikolai Kulemin injury: Leafs forward out 2 weeks with ankle bone chip

Kulemin chipped a bone in his ankle after blocking a shot in Friday’s practice.

by Patrick Iversen
Bruce Bennett

A bit of friendly fire during practice on Friday will cost Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nikolai Kulemin two weeks with a bone chip in his ankle.

The injury occurred when Kulemin blocked a shot from defenseman Dion Phaneuf with his foot. According to The Canadian Press, Kulemin could have played on the injured ankle because it wasn't a displaced fracture as initially feared. Instead, the Leafs decided to play it safe and let the injury heal.

Kulemin has two assists and is a plus-2 through two games this season. Toronto recalled Spencer Abbott from the Toronto Marlies. Coach Randy Carlyle will have to juggle his lineup to find a replacement for Kulemin on the second line with Nazem Kadri and Joffrey Lupul when the Leafs play Ottawa in their home opener on Saturday.

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