All of Klingberg's $4.15 million contract will be on LTIR, giving Toronto some cap flexibility.

We finally have some clarity on Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman John Klingberg.

Toronto placed Klingberg on LTIR on Thursday afternoon one day before their matinee game in Chicago against the Blackhawks. The 31-year-old hasn't appeared in a game since the Maple Leafs' 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks.

There has been speculation in regards to what's been bothering the veteran defenseman. Klingberg has dealt with several injuries in his career, including a double hip surgery in 2014.

TSN's Darren Dreger has reported that Klingberg got hurt in Toronto's October 19 game against the Florida Panthers.

"He tweaked something. He aggravated something in his hip," Dreger said on Overdrive on Wednesday.

Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe while in Stockholm, Sweden, for the NHL Global Series, said there was concern that Klingberg's injury could linger. By placing him on LTIR, he won't be able to return until Dec. 12 against the New York Rangers, which is 10 games and 24 days after his last game.

This move will allow the Maple Leafs to call up and use a few more players. Steeves, who currently has an 11-game point streak (11 goals in that span) with the Marlies, could get his first taste of NHL action this season.

Calle Jarnkrok didn't skate on Thursday after blocking a shot in practice a day prior. He was sent for imaging and there was positive news from it. He'll be a game-time decision tomorrow, so it's possible Steeves gets into one of the games on Friday or Saturday.

Klingberg going to LTIR will also free up enough space for Toronto to take Conor Timmins off LTIR. The 25-year-old skated on a pair with William Lagesson on Thursday, and Keefe said after practice that the team is preparing as though he'll play on Friday.

The Maple Leafs are about to embark on a two-game road trip where they'll take on Chicago at 2:00 p.m. ET on Friday and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET.

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