Maple Leafs Forward Confirmed Out Month-to-Month After Undergoing Surgery

Out since training camp with a lower-body injury, the Leafs provided more clarity on the nature of Calle Jarnkrok's injury earlier in November, revealing that he had been dealing with a sports hernia.

Jarnkrok had been skating periodically by himself, but never made enough progress in his recovery to return to game action.

Leafs' GM Brad Treliving noted last week that Jarnkrok was getting a second opinion on his injury over the weekend, which led to him ultimately opting for surgery. The Leafs announced on Monday that Jarnkrok underwent his sports hernia surgery on Monday morning and his recovery timeline is listed as month-to-month.

While it is disappointing for Jarnkrok, who skated in just 53 games last season for the Leafs, the team will benefit from having his $2.1M cap hit remaining on LTIR and will not be forced to make a trade to clear cap or roster space when Max Pacioretty returns from his injury.

The Swedish forward is currently in the third year of a four-year deal that he signed in the summer of 2022. A jack-of-all-trades forward that can play in any situation and any forward position, Jarnkrok was a favourite of former head coach Sheldon Keefe and was likely going to be a favourite of Craig Berube as well.

Unfortunately, Jarnkrok's injury may force Leafs GM Brad Treliving to turn to the trade market if he believes the Leafs need some additional forward depth.

In two years with the Leafs, the former second-round pick skated in 125 games registering 30 goals and 60 points while averaging just shy of 15 minutes of ice-time per game.