Maple Leafs' Marner placed in COVID-19 protocol

The Toronto Maple Leafs placed forwards Mitch Marner and Pierre Engvall in COVID-19 protocol, the team announced Friday.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe said Marner tested positive on Thursday and that both players are dealing with minor symptoms, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox.

Marner has played in just two games since returning from a shoulder injury sustained in early December. The winger has registered six goals and 15 assists in 26 games this season and leads the Leafs' forwards in ice time.

Engvall has posted 10 points in 32 games while thriving in Toronto's hard-checking bottom six. The Maple Leafs control over 50% of the shot attempts, expected goals, and scoring chances when the 25-year-old is on the ice at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick.

The Leafs assigned forwards Joey Anderson and Brett Seney to the taxi squad from the AHL in a corresponding move.

Marner and Engvall played in Toronto's 4-2 victory against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.

Here's how the Leafs dealt with the absences at practice Friday:

The Maple Leafs have placed a total of 17 players in COVID-19 protocol over the past couple of weeks, according to the Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan.