As the NHL season kicks off, teams are already dealing with injuries and roster updates. Let’s take a look at the latest news with daily Ice Chips.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares was spotted on the ice on Monday, but he did not participate in practice. According to TSN’s Mark Masters, Tavares, along with fellow injured Maple Leaf players Calle Jarnkrok, Connor Dewar, and defenceman Jani Hakanpaa, skated on a separate sheet of ice in a red non-contact jersey.
The 34-year-old centre sustained an injury during a collision with Montreal Canadiens forward Michael Pezzetta in the Leafs’ preseason game last Thursday. Despite not leaving the game until the third period, Tavares has not been able to join his teammates for on-ice activities since.
“It wasn’t so bad afterwards, but throughout the second and especially in the third, it just got really, really stiff and I didn’t have much,” Tavares shared after the game. “I told Craig I would just keep [shifts] short, but he determined to give me the rest of the night off.”
Head coach Berube also commented on the decision to sit Tavares out, saying, “I didn’t want to take a chance. It was my call.”
Tavares, a Mississauga, Ontario native, had an impressive 29 goals and 65 points in 80 games last season, highlighting his importance to the Leafs lineup.
In other news, forward Bobby McMann returned to practice with the Leafs on Monday after missing a session on Saturday for maintenance purposes. According to Masters, the 28-year-old forward had 15 goals and 24 points in 56 games last season, showing his value to the team.
As the season progresses, fans will be eagerly awaiting the return of key players like Tavares and the continued contributions of players like McMann as teams navigate the challenges of injuries and roster adjustments. Stay tuned for more updates with daily Ice Chips.
