The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed forward Colton Sissons on injured reserve and recalled forward Brendan Brisson from the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies. The team announced the roster moves on Thursday, with Sissons' IR placement retroactive to Nov. 8 due to a lower-body injury. Sissons suffered the injury during a 4-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Sunday and missed the third period of that game. The 33-year-old free agent signing had appeared in 19 games for Toronto this season, recording two goals and six points. He was previously listed as week-to-week before being placed on IR.

Brisson, 24, was on the ice for the Maple Leafs' optional skate ahead of their Thursday night game against the Minnesota Wild. He is the son of NHL agent Pat Brisson, who represents Maple Leafs players John Tavares and Gavin McKenna. The younger Brisson has yet to make his debut for Toronto, having spent the season with the Marlies, where he leads the team with eight goals and 17 points in 14 appearances. He has racked up eight goals and nine assists in those 14 games.

Injury toll mounts for Maple Leafs

Sissons' move to injured reserve adds to a significant list of absences for the Maple Leafs, who are now facing 11 players out of the lineup. The list includes forward Kirill Marchenko and defenceman Morgan Rielly. David Alter of The Hockey News reported that Sissons has been listed as out week-to-week. The team has been forced to adjust its lineup in response, giving players like Jack Roslovic and Ryan Tverberg extra opportunity.

Forwards Teddy Blueger and Zack MacEwen have been filling Sissons' depth role. It is not yet clear if Brisson will play against Minnesota, as MacEwen did not practice on Wednesday and was seen wearing additional support around his wrist during the optional skate. The Maple Leafs have scored just seven goals in their last four games and could be searching for a scoring boost. Brisson leads the Toronto Marlies in goals (8) and points (17) through 14 games.

Brisson's path to Toronto

Brendan Brisson was selected 29th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2020 NHL Draft. He has played 27 career NHL games, split between the Golden Knights and the New York Rangers, recording two goals and seven assists. Last season with the Rangers organization, he collected one assist in three NHL games and had 37 points (19 goals, 18 assists) in 66 AHL contests with the Hartford Wolf Pack. The Los Angeles native also represented the United States at the 2022 Olympic Games.

The Maple Leafs signed Brisson to a one-year, two-way contract on Sept. 4, 2026. The deal pays him the NHL minimum salary of $850,000 at the NHL level and $300,000 in the AHL, according to PuckPedia.com. His recall comes with two games left on the Maple Leafs' current homestand. With his minor-league scoring up this season, Brisson could have the momentum needed to find his stride at the NHL level. He has scored just nine points in 27 NHL games through his six-year pro career.

Brisson will not be a direct replacement for Sissons' specific impact. The veteran Sissons had provided a reliable presence through 19 games, adding 38 hits and winning 59.9 percent of his faceoffs. His role offered a security net next to Toronto's top young forwards, Easton Cowan and Gavin McKenna. In Tuesday's game against the Colorado Avalanche, Nick Paul and Dakota Joshua took over that support role next to McKenna, while Cowan has climbed to the top line. The Maple Leafs won't need to slot in Brisson right away, with Teddy Blueger and Zack MacEwen making up for Sissons' depth role.