Alarm bells went off for the Toronto Maple Leafs after Wednesdayâs practice when star John Tavares left the training game injured during a power play drill. The latest update on Auston Matthewsâ teammate, a key figure in the 2024-25 NHL season, was finally communicated.
Tavares has 42 points (20 goals, 22 assists) in 44 games this season and is a key player in Torontoâs hopes for this season. However, just as the Maple Leafs were beginning to enjoy Matthewsâ return from a lengthy injury, they received more bad news.
The latest update from the Maple Leafs on Thursday indicates that Tavares has been placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury and will miss a significant number of games this season. In his seventh season with Toronto, the former captain has missed just one presentation.
Head coach Craig Berube Reacts to Tavaresâ injury
âThis is week to week at the moment. Itâs unfortunate that it happened in practice. Unfortunate, but it is what it is and we have to move on now. You see his production and what heâs done, his leadership, heâs been a guy thatâs been able to adapt to all situations for us and heâs done a great job for us,â head coach Craig Berube said in Thursdayâs press conference.
Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs
How did Tavaresâ injury occur?
The injury that landed Tavares on injured reserve occurred during practice when Tavaresâ skate became tangled with that of teammate Chris Tanev while participating in a power play drill. Despite falling to the ground, the forward was able to get off the ice under his own power and went directly to the locker room.
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Tavaresâ long stint with the Maple Leafs
Tavares is in his seventh year in Toronto, serving out the final stretch of a $77 million contract he signed in 2018. His arrival was a significant moment for the Maple Leafs, as he was a high-profile signing on the free agent market. Tavares, who is originally from the Toronto area, left the New York Islanders to join his hometown team.
