With just three games remaining in the preseason schedule, we are nearing the end of training camp, and the injury bug has already hit the Toronto Maple Leafs.
As opening night is just days away and the Maple Leafs are set to open their season next Wednesday at home against Montreal, it’s a bad time to have some of your everyday players on the shelf right now due to injury.
However, that is the case we’re dealing with after an update from Sheldon Keefe and some players from today’s practice.
Conor Timmins:
Timmins, injured in the first game against Montreal over the weekend, has a significant lower-body injury, according to head coach Sheldon Keefe, and is currently week-to-week.
Sheldon Keefe says Conor Timmins has a significant lower-body injury and is week-to-week
Adds that John Klingerg’s injury is minor
Calle Jarnkrok is scheduled to practice today. @BodogCA
— David Alter (@dalter) October 2, 2023
It’s unclear when exactly he sustained the injury, but after watching the game Friday night, it looks like it may have come on this hit along the boards.
I’m not sure when exactly Conor Timmins suffered his injury, but FYIW he did not take another shift after this hit pic.twitter.com/p80QRlWnSl
— Michael (@mic_mazz) September 30, 2023
It’s unfortunate for Timmins, he has dealt with his fair share of injuries throughout his young career and was having a strong preseason to this point. It’s unknown how many weeks he’ll miss with this lower-body injury, but for someone who was fighting for a top-6 spot on the blue line come opening night and is now sidelined, it’s certainly not ideal.
We saw what he could do in a sheltered offensive role last season, and he impressed us. That and his performance in the preseason had him on track to fight for that spot on the blue line.
John Klingberg:
Klingberg, who is also dealing with an injury, is believed to have a minor one, according to Keefe.
It’s not known when he first got injured, but he didn’t play a ton against the Sabres in St. Thomas. After the game, it was announced that something tightened up on him, and he was day-to-day.
All that Keefe said was it’s a minor injury that he is currently dealing with, but he hasn’t been on the ice for five days now, Luke Fox of Sportsnet said on X.
Conor Timmins has suffered a significant lower-body injury. He’s week to week, per Keefe.
John Klingberg’s upper-body injury is said to be minor, but it’s now been five days off the ice for him.
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) October 2, 2023
Calle Jarnkrok:
After a ton of speculation over the past week with fans wondering if a trade was imminent for Calle Jarnkrok, it was finally revealed that he was dealing with an injury sustained in practice.
According to Mark Masters of TSN, Jarnkrok said he twisted his neck in practice but now feels good and hopes to play in one of the final two preseason games after tonight’s game at home.
Leafs’ Calle Jarnkrok reveals he twisted his neck in practice, which is why he’s been out
Felt good today & hoping to get into at least one pre-season game @TSN_Edge
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) October 2, 2023
Whenever Jarnkrok gets back into game action, he’ll most likely slot back on a line with Max Domi and William Nylander.
The Maple Leafs and Canadiens play at Scotiabank Arena tonight at 7 pm Eastern time.
