Tavares was injured in practice on Wednesday while working on the power play.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without John Tavares for a minimum of three games after the club announced that they placed the forward on injured reserve.
Following Toronto's morning skate ahead of their game against the New Jersey Devils, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube provided a timeline for the forward.
"It's week to week right now," Berube said of Tavavres. "It's just bad luck. But, you know, it is what it is. And we've got to move on from it right now."
Tavares was injured toward the end of practice on Wednesday while working on the power play. Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev appeared to clip Tavares' skate, causing the forward to fall awkwardly in the corner.
By being placed on injured reserve, Tavares is required to miss a minimum of seven days. That means the forward will have to miss at least the next three games, including Toronto's game against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. But based on this diagnosis, it's possible Toronto could be without him for longer.
"I think you see his production and what he's done and his leadership. And, you know, he's been an all-situational guy pretty much and done a real good job for us," Berube said of Tavares.
The 34-year-old Tavares has been one of Toronto's premiere center options and has stepped up his production this season, especially when star forward Auston Matthews was unavailable to the club for a couple of stretches this season. Tavares has 20 goals and 22 assists in 44 games.
The Leafs have called up Fraser Minten from the Toronto Marlies. When up with the club, Minten has been used as the third-line center position. However, with no practice time, Minten will be a healthy scratch against the Devils.
Minten has two goals and two assists in 11 games this season.
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