Maple Leafs Get Brutal News On Calle Jarnkrok

A tough break for the Toronto Maple Leafs' forward depth, which was already in question, with the news on Saturday morning of Calle Jarnkrok being lost to the lineup for some time with a broken knuckle. 

Sheldon Keefe says Calle Jarnkrok has a broken knuckle and will be out “week-to-week”.

Ryan Reaves confirmed to come into the lineup in his place. @BodogCA

— David Alter (@dalter) January 27, 2024

Head coach Sheldon Keefe says the middle-six forward will be out "week to week."

The injury occurred during practice on Friday when Jarnkrok caught a slapshot right in the hand. He left practice obviously furious, throwing his glove down in anger. 

Calle Jarnkrok slams his glove in frustration after he leaves practice early after blocking a point shot in a practice drill. pic.twitter.com/777kbGkyMc

— David Alter (@dalter) January 26, 2024

Jarnkrok had been seeing duty on the third line with Max Domi and Nick Robertson, as well as being a staple on the penalty-killing unit and the second power-play unit.

With Bobby McMann also on injured reserve, the Leafs will have to do some lineup shuffling in the bottom-six. Long-forgotten Ryan Reaves will find his way back in for Saturday night on the 4th line, while Noah Gregor will likely move up to the 3rd line to slot in for Jarnkrok. Tyler Bertuzzi is back after a brief absence for the birth of a child, and he slots back in on the second line with William Nylander and John Tavares. 

The 32-year-old Swede was having another fine season as a second-tier forward for the Leafs, registering 10 goals and nine assists for 19 points in 46 games, just a shade behind last year's pace of 20 goals and 39 points. 

The second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft has played 11 seasons, and has compiled 136 and 299 points in 693 games. 

Photo: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports