The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without John Tavares for an extended period after the team announced Saturday that the veteran forward is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
Sportsnet’s Luke Fox reported the update after Tavares was injured during Thursday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
“John Tavares is out week to week with a lower-body injury,” Fox reported.
The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel added that the designation means Tavares could miss “up to six weeks,” giving Toronto a clearer picture after initially leaving the game without a firm diagnosis or timetable.
Tavares was hurt early in the third period after an awkward collision with Buffalo forward Josh Norris. He went down in discomfort and remained on the ice before being assisted off the rink. Once he left the game, Tavares did not return.
Tavares had already recorded two assists in the game before exiting, both on Kirill Marchenko’s goals. Through seven appearances this season, the 36-year-old has two goals and five assists.
Tavares’ absence creates another major injury issue for a Maple Leafs team already without defenseman Chris Tanev, who is also considered week-to-week with an upper-body injury, removing two proven veterans from Toronto’s lineup.
Tanev, however, gave Toronto some positive news Saturday by returning to the ice for a solo skate.
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The immediate concern is how the Maple Leafs will replace Tavares in the lineup. Toronto has not yet announced who will take his spot, but the injury leaves the Maple Leafs thinner down the middle behind Auston Matthews.
On Saturday morning, Toronto used Nick Paul in Tavares’ place, centering the second forward line, per TSN’s Mark Masters.
Toronto hosts Tavares’ former team, the New York Islanders, on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.
