How long is Ryan O’Reilly out for? Injury details, return date, latest news on Maple Leafs forward

One of the newest Maple Leafs will be missing for a long time.

Forward Ryan O’Reilly, acquired from Toronto on deadline day, was placed on long-term injury reserve after walking out of the Maple Leafs game on Saturday, March 4, with an upper-body injury.

“When you get him you get excited and see what he can bring, so losing him is tough and disappointing,” Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “We acquired him healthy (and) ready for the playoffs and that will be the case.”

O’Reilly was one of six signings the club made before the March 3 close. Kyle Dubas traded a package that included a first-round pick for the Blues for the services of 2019 Stanley Cup champion and forward Noel Acciari.

The 32-year-old has five points in eight games with Toronto since the trade, including a hat-trick against the Sabers on Feb. 21

MORE: Bruins, Hurricanes top NHL power rankings after close

The Sporting News has all the injury updates on O’Reilly and when he could potentially return.

What is Ryan O’Reilly’s injury?

O’Reilly was injured in the last minute of the second period during the Maple Leafs’ 4-1 loss to the Canucks on March 4.

He got in the way of a shot from teammate Auston Matthews and took the puck straight from his hand. He left the game and didn’t return.

The forward was spotted with a splint on a finger on his left hand after the game.

Keefe confirmed on March 6 that O’Reilly suffered a broken finger and would be placed on long-term injured reserve.

Keefe then said on March 7 that O’Reilly had successful surgery on his finger.

When is Ryan O’Reilly returning?

A timeline for O’Reilly’s return is set for four weeks after his surgery for his broken finger.

Four weeks assumes a possible April 4 return, which would mean the Maple Leafs would have him back before the end of the regular season.

O’Reilly was placed on long-term injured reserve. If a player goes on LTIR, they must miss 10 games and 24 days of the season before they can return.

That means O’Reilly could not be released from the LTIR until March 29 at the earliest. However, it doesn’t look like the Maple Leafs expect him to come back if he’s eligible to be removed from the LTIR.

Ryan O’Reilly Stats 2022-23

O’Reilly was a strong addition to the Maple Leafs. In eight games with the team, he has three goals and two assists, playing in different roles.

He has accumulated up to 15 goals and 24 points this season.

team	games	Goals	assists	Points	+/-
blues	40	12	7	19	-24
maple leaves	8th	3	2	5	1
In total	48	15	9	24	-23