What Happened
Toronto Maple Leafs centre John Tavares took part in the team's optional morning skate on Tuesday in a red, non-contact sweater, his first appearance at a team skate since suffering an undisclosed lower-body injury three weeks ago against Buffalo. Coach Jim Hiller said only that Tavares is closer to returning. Tavares will miss his ninth straight game Tuesday against Utah. To play in this weekend's back-to-back against Montreal and New Jersey, he must practise with contact in at least one of the team's full practices on Wednesday or Friday.
Key Details
- Tavares has been out since suffering a lower-body injury against Buffalo three weeks ago.
- He wore a non-contact sweater at Tuesday's optional skate and stayed on the ice late.
- Hiller declined to give a specific return date.
- Tavares needs contact in a full practice Wednesday or Friday to be cleared.
- Toronto placed forward Bo Groulx on waivers Monday to open a roster spot.
- The Leafs went 5-3 without Tavares; winger Kirill Marchenko is also injured.
What It Means
Tavares was Toronto's only player to appear in all 82 games last season, and his absence has kept the top six in flux. The Leafs have held up at 5-3 without him, but Hiller called him an important player whose contributions often go unnoticed. Getting him back would stabilize the middle of the lineup before a busy weekend.
What's Next
Tavares's status depends on whether he takes contact in Wednesday's or Friday's full practice. Toronto plays Montreal and New Jersey in a back-to-back this weekend.