Campbell close to returning, but Mrazek likely out 6 weeks

Jack Campbell is on the cusp of returning to the Maple Leafs' crease.

Petr Mrazek, meanwhile, will once again be out for an extended period.

Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe said before Thursday's game against the Winnipeg Jets the goaltender will likely miss at least six weeks with a groin injury — his third of the season — suffered Tuesday in Boston against the Bruins.

"Mrazek is getting another consultation just to get some confirmation on some things," Keefe said. "But that's the sense we have right now."

The 30-year-old, who will be out the rest of the regular season and into the playoffs based on that timeline, had put together solid back-to-back wins against the New Jersey Devils and Florida Panthers after clearing waivers prior to the NHL trade deadline following a string of poor performances.

Mrazek is in the first season of a three-year, $11.4-million US contract signed in free agency last summer. He hurt his groin in his inaugural Toronto start in October and then reaggravated the injury in December before suffering yet another setback this week.

He's 12-6-0 in 2021-22 with an .888 save percentage and a 3.34 goals-against average.

Campbell also struggled before being shut down with a rib ailment following a 6-4 victory over the Seattle Kraken on March 8.

The 30-year-old was lights out early in the season to earn the first all-star nod of his career, but has an .872 save percentage since Jan. 8.

"He's actually cleared medically at this point," Keefe said of Campbell. "It's just a matter of him feeling good and ready to play in a game."

Rookie netminder Erik Kallgren, who picked up a 6-4 victory Tuesday after Mrazek's departure in Boston, was scheduled to start against the Jets.

"Kallgren's done a great job,"