What Happened
John Tavares will miss at least one Maple Leafs game after he and his wife, Aryne, welcomed a son, Tucker, on Friday. Tavares was away from Toronto's practice in Las Vegas on Friday for personal reasons, which reporters noted at the time. Toronto continues its three-game western swing Saturday in Denver against the Colorado Avalanche, then closes the trip Tuesday against the Utah Mammoth in Salt Lake City.
Key Details
- Tavares and wife Aryne welcomed son Tucker on Friday.
- He will sit out Saturday's game against Colorado at minimum.
- Tavares was absent from Friday's Las Vegas practice for personal reasons.
- Nick Paul took second-line reps at practice, per Sportsnet's Anna Dua.
- Tavares has a goal and three points in five games.
- Toronto's trip ends Tuesday at Utah; the next home game is Thursday vs. Buffalo.
What It Means
Toronto loses its veteran centre for at least one game of a western road trip, leaving a top-six opening down the middle. Tavares had a goal and three points through five games before the absence. Nick Paul, who practiced on the second line Friday, is the apparent short-term replacement while the team waits to learn whether Tavares rejoins the trip in Salt Lake City.
What's Next
The Maple Leafs face Colorado on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET, then visit the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday. It is unclear whether Tavares will rejoin the team in Salt Lake City or wait for Thursday's home game against the Buffalo Sabres.