Don’t make assumptions about the Maple Leafs getting close to returning to full health quite yet.
As forwards Calle Jarnkrok and Connor Dewar, and defenceman Jani Hakanpaa work to get back in the lineup, veteran Max Pacioretty pulled up short on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old forward departed the ice at the Ford Performance Centre after taking part in pre-practice drills.
“He tweaked something right when he went out there,” Leafs coach Craig Berube said. “I really don’t have any definite answers yet on him. I don’t think it’s serious, but we’ll just have to see.”
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Because of injuries, Pacioretty was limited to playing in 37 of the Leafs’ 55 games before the 4 Nations Face-Off break. He had five goals and eight assists in those games.
Jarnkrok skated between Matthew Knies and Nick Robertson on Wednesday, marking the second consecutive day he has been a full participant. It’s the most on-ice work that Jarnkrok has done since he underwent groin and sports hernia surgery in November.
Jarnkrok initially was hurt in training camp and has yet to suit up in 2024-25. In 52 games last season, he had 10 goals and 11 assists.
“Feeling great,” Jarnkrok said. “It has been a long season for me. Fun to be out there with the guys for sure.
“I would imagine I need a couple of (more) practices before I can say anything about (when he might play again).
“I feel like I’ve been handling it pretty good. My motivation has been pretty high the whole time and I feel great being out there on the ice.”
One luxury of getting back a player such as Jarnkrok is that he can play all three positions at forward. So, yes, using him at centre might be an option for Berube if the situation calls for it.
“I think he can do anything, personally,” Berube said. “I don’t know him that well, but what I see from him, he’s an intelligent player. He’s a reliable guy. He’s a good penalty-killer, he’s out there at the end of games, he can provide some offence, too. He has a good brain. He’s kind of a Swiss Army Knife.”
Jarnkrok said it doesn’t matter to him where he lines up, though he noted he has been at centre in practice because captain Auston Matthews is playing for the United States at the 4 Nations.
While keeping in mind the Pacioretty development on Wednesday, Berube said the Leafs are in “pretty good shape” regarding injuries.
Dewar has not played since Jan. 20 as he recovers from an upper-body injury. Hakanpaa’s knee issues have limited him to two games this season, both coming in mid-November.
“Jarny is working his way back, he’s doing well, that’s good to see,” Berube said. “Hakanpaa, that’s two days straight, so we’ll see where he gets to.
“(Dewar) couldn’t do everything, but he did a lot. He’s making good progress too. He’s on the right way up.
“Knock on wood. We have a tough stretch coming up, a lot of hockey, so it would be nice to stay healthy, but you only can control what you can control.”
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