It came as a surprise on Monday morning when the Leafs announced that they had placed Jani Hakanpaa on injured reserve, retroactive to November 16th.
Many speculated that the move was due to the knee issue that has plagued him since March of last season, and their speculation proved true as head coach Craig Berube confirmed it following the morning skate.
Berube also provided updates on a handful of other injured Leafs, including Jake McCabe, who left Saturday's game after taking a puck to the neck.
Berube noted that McCabe won't play Monday against his former team, the Chicago Blackhawks, for precautionary reasons and is listed as day-to-day.
McCabe's absence from the lineup means that Philippe Myers will suit up for his second game as a Leaf.
In addition to updates on McCabe and Hakanpaa, Berube updated fans on the statuses of Max Domi and Max Pacioretty, who both skated ahead of practice on Monday.
Domi is "close" to returning, according to Berube, but the news isn't as good for Pacioretty, who is, by Berube's own admission, not close to returning to action.
Overall, it was a day where the good news on the injury front was cancelled out by the bad news, but at least the Leafs appear closer to getting some help back in the forward group, which is currently being held together without several regulars.
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2 DECEMBRE | 1494 ANSWERS Craig Berube Provides Update on Several Injured Maple Leafs, Including Max Domi Who are the Leafs missing most up front? | ||