Jarnkrok blocked a shot at practice and some of the team's lineup against the Jets on Saturday is contingent on how they will adjust.
Jarnkrok blocked a shot at practice and some of the team's lineup against the Jets on Saturday is contingent on how they will adjust.
The Toronto Maple Leafs lineup for their game against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday appeared to be set in stone. That was until Calle Jarnkrok blocked a shot at practice on Friday and had to leave the session early.
"There is concern there for sure," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Jarnkrok. "We won’t know the extent of it until it settles down."
Immediately after the incident, Jarnkrok threw his glove in disgust as he made his way to the Leafs' dressing room at Ford Performance Centre.
Keefe did not provide any information on whether Jarnkrok would travel with the team.
The 32-year-old utility forward has nine goals and nine assists in 45 games this season and is one of Keefe's most trusted players when it comes to the defensive responsibilities that come with his position.
Before the injury, the Maple Leafs prepared their lineup with Tyler Bertuzzi returning to practice. He missed one game after his wife gave birth to their second child.
Pontus Holmberg, who skated in Bertuzzi's spot during their 1-0 victory against the Jets on Wednesday, moved down to the fourth line.
With Bertuzzi back, the Maple Leafs were going to have to make a corresponding move to get under the 23-man roster limit. Bobby McMann was absent from practice but will come off the active roster.
"Over the last few weeks, McMann has been dealing with something that has been lingering for a few weeks that we hoped was going to improve over time," Keefe explained. "It’s lingered enough that it’s been determined that extending his break. He’ll be going on the IR and won’t be available for us tomorrow."
McMann sat out for two of the team's last seven games with a lower-body injury related to the torn adductor injury he had been recovering from this past summer and into training camp.
If neither Jarnkrok nor McMann can play the Maple Leafs may finally put Ryan Reaves into the lineup as he'd be the only forward remaining as an option. The Leafs could also opt to dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
Mark Giordano is projected to return to the lineup after a two-game stint as a healthy scratch, skating on the third pair with Timothy Liljegren.
A clearer indication of the team's lineup should come following the team's optional skate on Saturday.
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