Leafs getting ready to get back in to action

Now that the Olympics are over, the NHL will return to the spotlight.

The Buffalo Sabres host the Carolina Hurricanes tomorrow, while the Toronto Maple Leafs return to action Thursday against the John Tavares-less New York Islanders.

The Leafs did get one week off during the Olympics, but they’ve been back practicing for six days now. According to assistant coach Greg Cronin — the team was dragging their feet today, and they paid for it in laps.

“You’re going half speed, let’s go full speed!”

Notable absences included Phil Kessel and James Van Riemsdyk — members of Team USA who were defeated by Finland in Friday’s Olympic bronze medal game.

Head coach Randy Carlyle is giving them a few days to recuperate. “I think both guys are deserving of a little more than one day off.  The emotions and wear and tear on their bodies.  We’ll try to manage a couple of days for them.”

Nikolai Kulemin, whose Russian team didn’t make it past the quarterfinals, has been practicing with the Leafs since Saturday.

“Other than we lose, it was a good experience for me, my family, we had a good time.  Great time for us.”

Kessel and JVR might not be the only players that the Leafs welcome back on Thursday, when the team travels to New York to play the Islanders.

Dave Bolland, who’s been off since November 2nd when his ankle tendon was severed by an opponent’s skate, looks like he might be ready to return to the lineup.

“It’s not really one of those hockey injuries that we know when i get to come back. For me it’s a progression every day. It’s progressive.”