Jake McCabe injury update: NHL insider provides major update on $22,565,510 Maple Leafs D-man return timeline

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe is dealing with a head injury. During a fight on Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers, a teammate fell on him and knocked him onto the ice, where he hit his head pretty hard. He's landed on injured reserve, and hockey insider Darren Dreger doesn't anticipate a quick recovery and return to the lineup.

On Thursday's edition of the First Up podcast, Dreger said (7:25):

"We know he's got a head injury, right? So he's got a history of this, so they're going to take the time necessary. The message that I got yesterday that reported was that it was unlikely he would be available this week, but that goes well into his return next weekend."

Dreger added that he's hesitant to say anything after how quickly Auston Matthews returned from injury but acknowledged that it's a very different situation with McCabe and his injury.

Dreger also thinks McCabe could've helped the Maple Leafs defensively last night. They gave up six goals to the Carolina Hurricanes and lost a game in which they had a 2-0 lead.

McCabe is on a five-year, $22,565,510 extension, and his absence has already hurt the Leafs. They dropped two points last night, although they still lead the division by four points over the defending champions Florida Panthers.

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Maple Leafs head coach isn't confident in when Jake McCabe will be back

Just after Jake McCabe left the contest with an injury, Craig Berube had a grim diagnosis. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been bothered by the injury bug this year, sometimes for inexplicably long periods.

Jake McCabe suffered a head injury (Imagn)

Berube said via Hockey Patrol:

"Not really. I think it's just you have 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."

Berube also spoke on the play that led to McCabe's injury:

"We don’t want to react. We want to initiate. That is the biggest thing: not reacting and taking retaliatory penalties. You are going to get hit in this league, and things are going to happen. It is about being disciplined."

McCabe is one of several players who've had to go on IR this year, and he joins breakout goalie Anthony Stolarz there currently.