Leafs' Jarnkrok undergoes groin surgery, considered month-to-month
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Toronto Maple Leafs forward Calle Järnkrok underwent groin and sports hernia surgery and is considered month-to-month in his recovery.
He has yet to play a game this season due to injury.
"He's gotta get it fixed and he'll be out a while," head coach Craig Berube said. "It's too bad, because he's a player we liked and can help us and really haven't had that opportunity to do that"
Jarnkrok suffered a setback in his recovery earlier this month that required a visit to a specialist.
The 33-year-old native of Czech Republic scored 10 goals and added 11 assists over 52 games with the Maple Leafs in 2023-24, his second season with the organization. Jarnkrok didn't record a point in seven postseason games.
Jarnkrok is in the third season of a four-year, $8.4 million contract, featuring an average annual value of $2.1 million.
Matthews still not skating, expected to miss Wednesday's game
Berube said Monday that captain Auston Matthews has not skated the past couple of days, making it more than a week that he's been off the ice.
"It's a little bit of a holding pattern, but he's not getting worse so that's a good thing. It's just taking time. It's taking long, but it is what it is," Berube said.
Matthews last played on Nov. 3, when the Maple Leafs lost 2-1 in overtime against the Minnesota Wild.
The Maple Leafs have played well with Matthews sidelined, posting a 5-1 record, including a 4-3 overtime victory over Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
Toronto will host the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday and the Utah Hockey Club next Sunday.
In 13 games this season, Matthews has five goals and 11 points. His 69 goals last season were the most in a single season since Mario Lemieux finished with 69 in the 1995-96 season.