Veteran Maple Leafs forward day-to-day after dealing with a lower body injury

The Toronto Maple Leafs have the weight of the world on their shoulders heading into the 2024/25 regular season, and the last thing they need during the pre-season is injuries. On Tuesday, Auston Matthews left the ice with a situation that Craig Berube defined as 'nothing serious', and now, reports have emerged that reveal Calle Jarnkrok is also dealing with an injury.

Fortunately for Toronto, he's been listed as day-to-day, meaning that he shouldn't miss too much time this regular season, and should be healthy for the October 12th opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, this could ultimately end up costing Jarnkrok his spot in the Maple Leafs lineup, with the likes of Max Pacioretty, Fraser Minten, and Easton Cowan all proving they are up to the task and may provide more to the lineup than Jarnkrok. With 21 points in 52 games a year ago, he's proven a competent veteran, but in the face of competition, he may ultimately find himself on another team at some point in 2024/25.

Being paid $2.1 million AAV is perhaps the only reason why Calle remains in the Maple Leafs lineup at this point, but with the top-six expected to shake out with Knies-Matthew-Marner and McMann-Nylander-Domi/Tavares/Pacioretty, it may spell the end for Jarnkrok. It's unclear exactly when the veteran sustained this injury, but with his job on the line, it's safe to say he'll be fighting to get back into the lineup with five key pre-season games remaining on the schedule, so don't expect to see him out for too much longer.

Source: Hockey Patrol
Maple Leafs forward injured; listed as day-to day