The Toronto Maple Leafs seem to have caught a break on the recent Jake McCabe injury. McCabe left the game against the New York Islanders on Saturday night in the third period after blocking a shot. Concerns emerged that McCabe could be out for an extended period.
But according to the latest McCabe injury update, the Maple Leafs could be without their top shutdown defenceman for less than a week.
Maple Leafs injury updates:
– Jake McCabe (lower body) out likely a week, possibly sooner.
– Brandon Carlo had an ankle infection that also impacted his recovery (had foot surgery), could be an option tomorrow.
– Chris Tanev is being evaluated for possible surgery this week.…
— Anna Dua (@AnnaNoelleDua) January 5, 2026
That’s fantastic news considering the losses of other blueliners. In addition to the McCabe injury, Chris Tanev is out with a lower-body injury, potentially needing surgery. If Tanev does go under the knife, he could be out for an extended period.
Also, Brandon Carlo hasn’t played in over a month due to a foot injury. That’s why getting a positive update on the McCabe injury could prove to be a silver lining in an otherwise rough season for the Leafs.
The Maple Leafs play on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena, looking to close the gap on a Stanley Cup Playoff spot. The Leafs will be without McCabe, but could get Carlo back in the lineup.
McCabe Injury Offset by Carlo Return
The McCabe injury could be offset by the possible return of Brandon Carlo against the Panthers on Tuesday night. Carlo last played on November 13 against the Los Angeles Kings. He sustained a foot injury, suffering a setback along the way. That setback required surgery, causing him to miss a prolonged period.
However, it seems that Carlo will be ready to return to the ice. He’ll likely suit up alongside Morgan Rielly on the Maple Leafs’ top pairing. As such, Carlo’s return could mitigate the impact of the McCabe injury, allowing Phillippe Myers to drop to the third pair with Simon Benoit.
Once McCabe returns, the Maple Leafs will be close to their full blue line. In the meantime, the recent McCabe injury could leave the Leafs without the team’s top two physical defencemen. Benoit will be tasked with picking up the slack on the physical side.
Main Photo Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images