Maple Leafs' Rielly could miss next 3 games with upper-body injury

The Toronto Maple Leafs could be without Morgan Rielly for at least the next three games, as the defenseman was reportedly placed on the injured reserve Monday.

Rielly missed Saturday's contest against the rival Ottawa Senators, and, unless placed on IR retroactively, will also be sidelined for upcoming contests against Colorado, Chicago, and Dallas. Those three games will be followed by a five-day break for the All-Star Game.

Players must remain on the injured reserve for a minimum of seven days, meaning Rielly should return as soon as the Leafs' first post-All-Star matchup, Jan. 31 versus the New York Islanders.

It's a key loss for the Maple Leafs, as the team relies on Rielly for more than 22 minutes a game. Through 47 games, he has five goals and 26 assists.

In Rielly's place, blue-liner Rinat Valiev has been recalled from the AHL's Toronto Marlies.