Maple Leafs call up promising puck-moving defenseman after placing Dakota Mermis on IR

Dakota Mermis was the victim of a knee-on-knee hit from Gage Goncalves of the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday Night. The hit took Mermis out of the game, and it was not a pleasant sight.

Today, fans were waiting to see what the prognosis would be on Mermis and if he would have to miss any time, given his predicament.

Just moments ago, the Toronto Maple Leafs organization revealed the answer to that question on X, where they made an announcement regarding the defenseman.

According to Maple Leafs PR, the team has officially placed Dakota Mermis on the injured reserve, and it is retroactive to Monday, which is standard practice.

Meanwhile, the team has called up left-handed defenseman Henry Thrun from the Toronto Marlies. The Maple Leafs acquired him in the Ryan Reaves trade in the Summer.

This is a convenient call-up when you consider how the Toronto Maple Leafs play the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. Perhaps this is an opportunity to get Thrun into the Leafs' lineup for the very first time, and do so against his former team.

Thrun is a 24-year-old American-born defenseman who was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round in 2019. He ultimately chose to play for Harvard and never got a chance with the Ducks.

Instead, he spent the first portion of his career with the San Jose Sharks, where he bounced between the NHL and the AHL. In 119 games, he has five goals and 25 points.

This season, Thrun has spent all of his time with the Toronto Marlies. In 19 games, he has nine points and is showing himself to be a solid puck-moving defenseman.

If he plays well during his stint with the Leafs, perhaps he can convince Craig Berube and Brad Treliving to keep him in the NHL for the long haul.