It’s been another painful season for the Toronto Maple Leafs getting bitten by the injury bug, but it looks like things are finally starting to turn around with Anthony Stolarz returning to the net and Auston Matthews putting up consistent numbers and minutes once again.

Now, another long-absent piece looks set to return. Calle Järnkrok has yet to play this season, but is now practicing with the team and joining them on their road trip.

Speaking after morning skate Tuesday ahead of Toronto’s matchup against the Boston Bruins, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube gave a very typical answer on how close Järnkrok is to returning.

“He’s close. He’s very close. There’s some things that have to be done with… you know, stuff,” Berube said, evoking a laugh from the media. “But, you know, he’s feeling excellent and he has to see the doctor, and we’ll do that shortly here, but he’s feeling great on the ice, like he’s really ready to play.”

“It could be, like I said, things have to be done,” Berube said, when asked if Järnkrok may make his debut on this road trip. While answers on Jarnkrok’s return are still trickling in vaguely, it seems fans can expect to see Järnkrok in game action very soon.

Before activating Järnkrok off LTIR, there are a few things Toronto has to consider. First and foremost, he is on the third year of a four-year, $8.4 million contract, with an annual cap hit of $2.1 million. According to PuckPedia, the Leafs currently have just over $2.2 million in cap space, meaning activating him would leave little wiggle room, especially ahead of the trade deadline. One possible piece that moves is Ryan Reaves, who has been virtually invisible with the team this year. Reaves has a $1.35 million cap hit, but may not have much trade value, raising the possibility of putting him on waivers to make space.

Once they work out the cap situation, it’s a question of where Järnkrok is needed in the roster. He’s a strong depth piece and will likely return to his spot as third centre, opening up the possibility of moving Max Domi to the wing. His place with the team will also depend on what the Leafs decide to do ahead of the trade deadline, with continued reports that they are shopping for a middle-six centre to shore up their depth.

There will also be questions about how quickly he can get into form after returning from major surgery, but that will remain to be seen once he steps out onto the ice.

Järnkrok returned to practice with the team last week when they got back to work after a break for the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Swede hasn’t played since suffering a lower-body injury in the pre-season, then undergoing groin and sports hernia surgery in November.  The 33-year-old had 21 points in 52 games played with the Leafs last season.