When Will John Tavares Return? Maple Leafs Veteran Skates, Status Shifted to Day-to-Day

John Tavares’ lower-body injury has been upgraded to day-to-day, an encouraging development for the Toronto Maple Leafs as the 36-year-old veteran took part in Tuesday’s optional morning skate wearing a red non-contact sweater.

Tavares, who has been skating for about a week now, joined teammates on the ice ahead of Tuesday night’s home game against the Utah Mammoth at Scotiabank Arena. He wore a red non-contact sweater during the club’s optional skate, signaling that he remains limited, and he will not play against the Mammoth. Still, the status change from week-to-week represents progress for a player who had been sidelined since mid-October.

The injury occurred on Oct. 15 during Toronto’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Tavares was involved in an awkward collision with Sabres forward Josh Norris in the third period; Norris fell into him after a tangle that also involved Leafs forward Nick Paul, taking Tavares’ legs out from under him. He remained on the ice before requiring assistance to the dressing room and did not return. At the time, the Leafs listed him as week-to-week, a designation that can cover absences of up to six weeks. He had recorded two goals and five assists in seven games before the setback and was placed on injured reserve.

Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller offered a measured update when asked about the chances of seeing Tavares back in game action this weekend.

“Oh, I don’t know. We still got to do some progressing, but you know, closer. That’s all I can give you, right?” Hiller said. “We get him into a practice with us, hopefully sooner rather than later, and then see how he does there, and then make the next step.”

Hiller acknowledged that the team has managed in Tavares’ absence, going on a bit of a run before stumbling midway through a recent western trip. 

“I think we’ve done pretty well without him,” the coach said. “But I tell you, he’s an important player. He really is. He does so many things well. I think so many things that don’t get talked about, don’t get written about, that he does really well. You know, beyond just having the leadership that he provides in the room.”

Those less-publicized contributions include winning puck battles and finding soft areas in the offensive zone. 

“A really great offensive player who goes to spots that you know you hope everybody would get there. He just understands where to go, and when he gets there, he’s able to make a play out of it,” Hiller explained. “And then understanding the game without the puck… Now he still maintained his offense, but he’s really added a strong defensive game. Really, really understands the game, goes to the right spots without it.”

The Leafs have experimented with their top-six forward group in Tavares’ absence, followed by that of Kirill Marchenko, who sustained a lower-body injury against the Calgary Flames last week.

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