Toronto Maple Leafs center Alexander Kerfoot is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to repair facial dental fractures, the team announced Friday.
Kerfoot originally sustained the injury Nov. 5, and he experienced discomfort in the club's most recent game against the New York Islanders before consultation determined surgery was required.
During the game Kerfoot was hurt, he was hit hard by Los Angeles Kings forward Jeff Carter and briefly left the game as a result. The Maple Leafs have played four games since then.
Toronto has dealt with multiple injuries to key forwards this season, including John Tavares and Mitch Marner, who is currently sidelined due to a high ankle sprain.
Jason Spezza took Kerfoot's spot on Toronto's third line alongside Ilya Mikheyev and Trevor Moore at practice, according to The Athletic's Jonas Siegel. The club plays its first game of a back-to-back Friday night against the Boston Bruins at Scotiabank Arena.
Kerfoot, 25, was brought in along with Tyson Barrie in the July 1 blockbuster trade that sent Nazem Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche.
In his first 20 games with the Maple Leafs, Kerfoot's notched five goals and three assists while averaging just under 15 minutes per night.
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