Max Pacioretty injury: Maple Leafs handed big blow with winger reportedly set to be out for considerable time

Max Pacioretty went down with a lower-body injury on Saturday in the game against the Montreal Canadiens. The Toronto Maple Leafs star had to be helped off the ice before and was unable to return. Unfortunately, one hockey insider believes that he's going to be out of action for some time.

Darren Dreger of TSN said on the "1st Up" podcast:

"Sad for Pacioretty. It's is extensive, he will be out for a while is what I've gathered. Nobody is willing to disclose the specifics of the injury. We all saw he was grabbing the back of his upper leg when he went down on the ice. We saw him get helped off the ice. He was in considerable pain. No specifics. From what I've got, he's gonna be out for a while."

Dreger believes more information will come out soon, but he remarked that the Maple Leafs do have the depth to withstand a loss like this. They had some good players as healthy scratches this season, and now those players can step up.

Leafs have now confirmed that Pacioretty has been placed on Injured Reserve.

The Maples Leafs have gotten off to a brilliant start this year. They're 9-5-2 and only three points behind the defending champion Florida Panthers in the Atlantic Division.

Nick Alberga originally reported that Pacioretty pulled a hamstring and that it might not be too bad for the Leafs star. However, the injury might be more severe, according to Dreger.

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Watch what happened with Max Pacioretty

Max Pacioretty was heavily involved in a play during a contest with the Montreal Canadiens, a game that eventually led to a 4-1 win for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The star player has six points in 13 games for the Leafs this year.

Max Pacioretty went down against the Montreal Canadiens (Imagn)

Pacioretty took a back check from a Montreal defenseman and went down. He was immediately unable to get up and was clutching his leg as he lay in pain on the ice.

Pacioretty did get up and tried to skate away, but he was clearly in pain and had to be helped off the ice afterward by John Tavares and others. Now, he's facing a difficult road back to the Leafs with an unclear timeline.