Toronto Maple Leafs Injury Report: Week 22

Welcome to a new series! Each week of the season and into the playoffs, I’ll be releasing a new injury report based on the Toronto Maple Leafs’ injuries.

The Maple Leafs have had their fair share of injuries this season. However, as the season has progressed, they have gotten healthier, with key players returning to the lineup. Over the course of the year, a few big-name players have spent time on the shelf for Toronto. The team’s captain, Auston Matthews, has missed numerous games throughout the season. John Tavares and Chris Tanev were both sidelined with injuries that caused them to miss multiple games. Lastly, Anthony Stolarz was out for nearly six weeks with an injury that couldn’t have come at a worse time. He had been playing so well, and while he returned to form after the injury, he has looked a bit shakier in the crease.

Now, without further ado, let’s dive into the Maple Leafs’ injury report.

Maple Leafs’ Injury Report

Jani Hakanpää

First up, Jani Hakanpää, who has been out for almost the entire season. This was something that was somewhat expected after the drama surrounding him when he was signed back on July 1. There were concerns about whether his knees would hold up. Although he passed his physical and signed the contract, those concerns have proven to be true. His knees just haven’t held up.

Unfortunately, he has only played in two games this season, plus two more in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies. He is a big-bodied defenseman who the team would have loved to have all year. He would have solved a few problems along the way. However, that’s the reality of sports—his absence allowed the Maple Leafs to use his cap hit by placing him on long-term injured reserve (LTIR).

There is a slight chance he returns for the playoffs as an extra defensemen if needed, but with his ongoing knee issues, that doesn’t seem like a realistic possibility.

Max Pacioretty

The only other player currently out due to injury is Max Pacioretty. The oldest player on the Maple Leafs has dealt with injuries over the past couple of seasons. However, this time, it seems more like wear and tear rather than a serious injury like in the past. He has been listed out with “undisclosed,” that has resulted in him being placed on the LTIR.