The Maple Leafs are concerned that John Klingberg’s undisclosed injury could linger for a while, relays David Alter of The Hockey News. The veteran has struggled mightily in his first year with Toronto and it was recently revealed that he has been playing through an injury. Head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated that they’re trying a more aggressive treatment with Toronto having a light schedule at the moment due to their trip to Sweden but that Klingberg is taking longer than they hoped to bounce back from it. He has been ruled out for Sunday’s contest against Minnesota and if they want to consider an LTIR placement, that would keep him out through December 12th at a minimum.
Elsewhere in the Atlantic Division:
- Still with the Maple Leafs, defenseman Conor Timmins skated today but isn’t expected to play against Minnesota on Sunday, Alter adds (Twitter link). The 25-year-old is still working his way back from a lower-body injury sustained late in the preseason. Timmins, who is on LTIR, has been upgraded to being out day-to-day. Toronto will have to send two players down to activate Timmins and his $1.1MM price tag once he’s cleared to return.
- Panthers center Aleksander Barkov left Friday’s game against Anaheim after a hit from Jackson LaCombe early in the third period and did not return. Postgame, head coach Paul Maurice told reporters including Florida Hockey Now’s George Richards that there was no immediate update on him after the game. Florida is flying back from its road trip today so an update on the captain likely won’t come until Sunday. Barkov is off to a strong start to his season with 17 points in his first 16 games.
- Lias Andersson had a good start to his season in Montreal’s farm system but that will be on hold for a while as their AHL affiliate announced (Twitter link) that the forward will miss six to eight weeks with a lower-body injury. The 25-year-old signed a two-way deal with the Canadiens in the summer after being non-tendered by Los Angeles. Andersson, the seventh overall pick in 2017, has seven goals and two assists in ten games so far this season.
Robidas Island is calling Kilngbers name louder and louder everyday
Leafs d has been lean to say the least over the past few years, so why they took a chance on kilnberg is a ? But if he’s hurt why “take an aggressive approach towards rehab”?
I bet Klingberg will be put onto season ending “LTIR” with a head injury!
But not being able to think fast enough to play defensive hockey really be labeled a “head injury”
To say this suspicious injury could be the reason his play is so bad – would mean that this injury was there for the last 2 years! Lol
That’s exactly the case. From Klingberg himself the other day to reporters:
“It’s always been there throughout my career but I’ve been able to deal with it and work through it. But it kind of hit rock bottom here the last few weeks. It’s something we’re trying to figure out here.”