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Leafs' Berube gives update on injured Jarnkrok and it's not promising

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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Nov 9 2024, 5:32 pm
Leafs' Berube gives update on injured Jarnkrok and it's not promising
Nick Turchiaro/USA TODAY Sports

Calle Jarnkrok has yet to play a game for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season, which may not change anytime soon.

During a media scrum this morning, Leafs head coach Craig Berube was asked about Jarnkrok. The 33-year-old was placed on long-term injured reserve during training camp with a lower-body injury, which is believed to be a sports hernia.

While he recently hit the ice for the first time since training camp, it doesn’t sound as though he’s anywhere near game action.

“It’s a tough one. Right now, I can’t give you a timeline on him, but he’s probably a ways away still,” Berube said.

Jarnkrok has spent the past two seasons with the Maple Leafs, providing mixed results. Always known as more of a defensive specialist who can contribute some secondary scoring, he was able to put home 20 goals in 2022-23. Last season was more of a struggle, however, as he managed just ten goals, along with 21 points, in 52 games.

A Kyle Dubas signing, Jarnkrok still has this season and next remaining on his contract with a $2.1 million cap hit. Once he is able to return, he will likely take Pontus Holmberg’s spot as the third-line centre.

The Leafs have had success in Jarnkrok’s absence, sitting second in the Atlantic Division with an 8-5-2 record. A large part of that is thanks to Anthony Stolarz’s play, who has an impressive 2.00 goals against average (GAA) and a .930 save percentage (SV%) through 10 starts.

Jarnkrok’s injury isn’t the only one the Leafs are dealing with. Auston Matthews was placed on injured reserve Friday with an upper-body injury. The good news is that he’s already back skating, indicating he could be back as soon as next Saturday in a game against the Edmonton Oilers.

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