Kubina Set For Return To Lineup
Posted November 14, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Between a bum knee and a caesarian section, Pavel Kubina couldn’t help but put hockey on the backburner for the past five weeks. But now that his knee has healed, and his baby daughter has made a healthy arrival to the world, Toronto’s big blueliner is ready to get back to business.
Kubina, who hurt his knee in just his fourth game with the Buds, was actually set to make his official return to action last Thursday against Boston, but a call from his girlfriend in the Czech Republic sent him packing. He received a personal leave from the Leafs and promptly boarded a plane.
“It was an amazing feeling holding her in my hands,” he said of the birth.
Coach Paul Maurice admits he’ll be babying Kubina for a bit, rather than risk aggravating the injury. “Pav is going to come in and play fewer minutes — probably around 18 minutes — than we expect he’ll play in two weeks.”
“It’s going to take him a little while — not the conditioning part of it because he’s a hard-working guy — to get his timing and rhythm back.”
Jean-Sebastien Aubin will get the nod in net after the Leafs decided not to rush Raycroft, who strained his groin against Boston.
“Even if he was 100 per cent healthy, I don’t think he was playing Thursday — not in my mind,” said Maurice. “We don’t want any questions about groins with our goaltenders.
“We’re going to leave him (out) until he’s not only healthy but has had enough practice so he’s strong. Right now, I’d suggest that’s Saturday, at the earliest. If he can get through Friday full tilt, he might be all right (to face the Devils on Saturday).”
