Toronto Maple Leafs forward Calle Jarnkrok is expected to miss at least the next two weeks with a groin injury, according to Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe.
Jarnkrok suffered the injury during Wednesday’s game against the San Jose Sharks. It’s unclear as to what caused the injury, but the Leafs announced before the third period that he wouldn’t be returning to the game. He finished the game with just 9:04 minutes of ice time, with his last shift coming midway through the second period.
Jarnkrok has been off to a quiet but solid start to the season, with five goals, four assists, and nine points in 25 games so far this season. He looked to be on track to creep towards the 30 point mark before his injury, which has been his usual point range throughout his career.
Jarnkrok is currently in the first year of a four year contract with a $2.1 million contract with the Leafs, one he signed in the offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
Once a second round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2010, Jarnkrok spent his first eight seasons with the Nashville Predators before being selected in the expansion draft in 2021 by the Seattle Kraken and then dealt to the Calgary Flames at the trade deadline.
Jarnkrok has spent the last few games on the Leafs second line, acting as the forechecker for John Tavares and either Mitch Marner or William Nylander. Nick Robertson filled in for him during the rest of Wednesday’s game on that line, and will likely get into more games as a result. Robertson has played just 12 games so far this season, with two goals, three assists, and five points.
There is some good news on the injury front for the Leafs, as defenseman T.J. Brodie will join the Leafs on their two game road trip, although he’s not expected to play. Brodie has missed the last 10 games with a spine injury, and will be a welcome addition to a blueline also missing Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin.
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