Maple Leafs' Joe Thornton to miss one month with rib injury

Toronto Maple Leafs center Joe Thornton will be on the shelf for upwards of one month. Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Maple Leafs' Joe Thornton to miss one month with fractured rib

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 1/22/21

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Joe Thornton this offseason to provide some scoring depth and a veteran presence. Now the team will be without "Jumbo Joe" for the next few weeks.

According to TSN's Elliotte Friedman, Thornton will miss at least one month with a fractured rib.

Joe Thornton is out one month with a fractured rib
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 22, 2021

Thornton left Toronto's matchup against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday during the third period after taking a hit along the boards from Josh Archibald.

In five games this season, Thornton has two points (one goal, one assist). He scored his first goal as a Maple Leaf on Jan. 16 against the Ottawa Senators.

Before signing with the Leafs, the 41-year-old played for the Boston Bruins for seven-and-a-half seasons before being traded to the San Jose Sharks, where he played for 15 years.

Friedman also says Toronto will be without star forward Auston Matthews on Friday, who is listed as day-to-day with upper-body soreness.

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