Tavares Out with Broken Finger

The Toronto Maple Leafs have lost John Tavares for at least 2 weeks.  Tavares suffered a broken finger in the 4-3 loss to the Washington Capitals.

Tavares scored with just under 3-minutes left in the game but the Leafs could not pull even in the final minutes of the game.  According to Leafs management, the Leafs captain will miss at least 6 games and be reevaluated after 2-weeks.

This is a major blow for the Leafs as the team sits with a 4-3-1 record.  Tavares has logged an average of 18:10 of ice time and has amassed 3 goals and 4 assists in just 8 games.

The centre scored a career-high 47 goals and posted 88 points while appearing in all 82 games last season, his first with the Maple Leafs after joining the team on a seven-year, $77 million contract.  To replace Tavares, the Leafs could potentially promote Alexander Kerfoot to Marner’s line, move William Nylander to the middle or insert Jason Spezza,.  Spezza, who has been a scratch in five of Toronto’s eight games,, could be asked to play more of a an offensive role and could potentially provide some leadership for the young Leaf squad.

Tavares joins winger Zach Hyman (knee) and defenceman Travis Dermott (shoulder) on the sidelines.