Daniel Winnik Leaves Game In First Period With Lower Body Injury

Fans were very excited for Daniel Winnik’s return when he signed a two-year contract this summer. The local native gave it his all when he played for the Leafs, and was one of the most effective scorers of last year’s team. Getting a 2nd and 4th round pick to lend him to the Penguins a bit? Icing on the cake. 

But now, it looks like the team might be lending him to the Injured Reserve, thanks to an unfortunate collision with Washington Capitals forward Justin Williams. 

The two forwards ran into each other in the corner at around the midway point of the first period. As you can see above, their legs intersect, and Winnik’s skate boot gets stuck on the toe of Williams’. He stretches out more than he’d like to, and his left knee buckled when he attempted to stay upright.

Winnik was carried off by his teammates after being looked at by a trainer, and left the game immediately. Prior to this, he had scored the game’s opening goal.

Winnik has two goals and four assists through fourteen games and is considered extremely unlikely to return tonight. No further timeline is known. The Maple Leafs are up currently up 1-0 after twenty minutes.