Craig Berube ‘Not Sure’ When Jake McCabe Will Return, No Approximate Timeline To Rejoin Maple Leafs Lineup

On Monday, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe was placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, sidelining him for a minimum of three games. He is slated to be out for the Maple Leafs’ upcoming games against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday, the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, and the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

Related: Maple Leafs' Jake McCabe To Miss A Minimum Of 3 Games After Being Placed On Injured Reserve With An Upper-Body Injury

The club took to the ice for a full skate on Tuesday ahead of their second meeting with the Flyers in as many days, and after the session, head coach Craig Berube was asked about an approximate timeline for McCabe’s return to the ice.

Berube responded, “Not really. I think it's just you got to go day to day here and you know, he needs to get back on the ice and then we'll go from there. I think that's probably the best way I can put it. And I'm not sure when that is.”

The injury occurred during Toronto's 3-2 overtime win against the Flyers on Sunday, when McCabe stepped up to defend goaltender Dennis Hildeby after Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway bumped into him.

McCabe and Hathaway proceeded to get tangled up and drop the gloves.

In the ensuing fight, Hathaway fell awkwardly on McCabe, causing the 31-year-old to appear dazed after taking a blow to the head. Teammate Morgan Rielly helped McCabe stay upright, but the defenseman left the game in the first period and did not return.

It marks the second time McCabe has been injured this season. He previously missed five games after taking a puck to the head/neck area during a November 30 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Related: 'He'll Be Fine': Maple Leafs Defenseman Jake McCabe Leaves Game Against Lightning After Suffering Upper-Body Injury, Not Set To Miss Any Time

McCabe, who scored his first goal of the season against the Boston Bruins on Saturday, has been a steady presence on the blue line for the Maple Leafs in his third season for the organization.

In 36 games this season, he has recorded one goal and 10 assists for 11 points, averaging 20:52 of ice time per game. The defenseman signed a five-year contract extension in October, which carries an annual salary cap hit of $4.51 million starting in the 2025-26 season.

In replacement of the former second-round pick, the Leafs recalled Marshall Rifai, who skated as an extra at Tuesday’s morning skate. Given the nature of his absence, the club has shuffled the backend accordingly.

Morgan Rielly and Philippe Myers look to remain intact while Oliver Ekman-Larsson fills McCabe’s role in the top four alongside Chris Tanev. On the third and final pairing, Conor Timmins appears to be taking the right side of Simon Benoit.

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