Toronto Maple Leafs get health update on John Tavares ahead of season opener
The Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares is participating in his second team practice. That is encouraging news for Tavares and the franchise. Toronto would love to have Tavares back one hundred percent healthy and get him in their lineup.
Although Tavares has slowed down the last season or two, he is an effective player and Toronto is better with him in the lineup centering their second line. Toronto has a busy schedule right at the beginning of the year they play four games in six nights. So having Tavares in the lineup would be a big boost to the Leafs. Of course, the Maple Leafs want to get off to a good start to this season in a competitive Atlantic division.
Tavares injured his oblique in late September in a preseason game against the Senators. The fact that Tavares is doing full team practices must mean he's feeling pretty good. Oblique injuries can take time to heal. Hopefully Tavares isn't rushing it too much. The last thing he would want is to have a setback or to have this injury nag him throughout the year. Does he feel good enough to play against Montreal Wednesday night? That would depend on if doctors clear him to play. It would be wise to take the patient approach and make sure he's really feeling good before he's in the lineup. If Tavares can't start the season, you could see either Alex Kerfoot or William Nylander as the second line center replacement.
| POLL | ||
Where will the Maple Leafs finish this season? | ||
| 1st in the Atlantic | 29 | 18.1 % |
| Top 3 in the Atlantic | 62 | 38.8 % |
| Wild Card Spot | 27 | 16.9 % |
| Out of the playoffs | 42 | 26.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
