Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ Injury Report: Robertson, Rielly, Jarnkrok, Benn & Mete

The Toronto Maple Leafs are winning despite injuries. Who’s injured on the team? When might these players be back with the team?

by
Old Prof
December 9, 2022

The Toronto Maple Leafs keep winning. One of the keys to the recent streak is that the team has played the next-man-up game. There have been several injuries on the team. But the rest of the roster is covering well.

One critical injury early was Jake Muzzin, and he’ll be out until at least the end of February. Sadly, he might never play again. I haven’t included him in this injuries overview because there’s no sense of his return.

In this post, because there have been a large number of injuries, I thought I would take some time to review who’s injured, the nature of their injuries, and when each player might return.

Injury One: Nick Robertson (Shoulder Injury)

Nick Robertson is the most recent injury. He suffered a shoulder injury when he was rough-housed into the boards in the Los Angeles Kings’ game on Thursday night. Robertson played less than a minute during the first period and didn’t return. He got up under his own power, but he couldn’t move his arm.

The word is that Robertson won’t be back for a while – weeks instead of days. Look for either Alex Kerfoot or Denis Malgin to move up to the second line now that Robertson can’t play. Thus far, there’s no real insight about how long the bad-luck rookie’s injury will keep him.

Injury Two: Morgan Rielly (Knee Injury)

Morgan Rielly has been out for three weeks now. He’s still not skating; however, the latest report is that Rielly is engaged in off-ice training to rehab his knee. As far as an update, there really isn’t one. At least, when he’s been asked, Maple Leafs’ head coach Sheldon Keefe doesn’t seem to know.

Morgan Rielly, Maple Leafs (2013-14 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection – Ice Premiere Auto Patches)

Fortunately, the team seems to be covering well with what can be called a patchwork defense. It helps that the entire team – forwards and defensemen – are playing hard and covering for each other.

Injury Three: Calle Jarnkrok (Groin Injury)

Calle Jarnkrok suffered a groin injury against the San Jose Sharks. At first, there was some thought that Jarnkrok would miss some time; however, the injury was worse than first expected. Coach Keefe didn’t have a specific timetable for Jarnkrok’s recovery, but it appears the Swedish forward will be out week-to-week, rather than day-to-day.

Jarnkrok was moved to the injured reserve list a week ago. The team is trying several players to fill his spot. More recently, Joey Anderson has been called up from the Marlies and will get a chance to play tonight against the Calgary Flames. Also, look for Wayne Simmonds to draw into the game as well.

Injury Four: Victor Mete (Lower-Body Injury)

Victor Mete suffered a lower-body injury in the first period of the team’s game last week against the Dallas Stars. Fortunately, when Mete went down T.J. Brodie came back from his own oblique injury.

New right-shot defenseman Conor Timmins got some extended time in his second game as a Maple Leafs’ player. Mac Hollowell will likely be called up to become the extra defenseman.

Injury Five: Jordie Benn (Upper-Body Injury)

Jordie Benn suffered an upper-body injury in the late November game against the New Jersey Devils. Benn was placed on the injured reserve list and was called week-to-week. The last word I heard is that Benn is now skating. However, there’s no definitive word on when he might return.