John Tavares Placed on Injured Reserve

Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares has been placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury sustained during practice, where he awkwardly tangled skates with teammate Chris Tanev. He is expected to be out for at least a week, missing a minimum of four games, with his earliest return projected for January 25 against the Ottawa Senators. Tavares, 34, has been a key player this season, contributing 42 points in 44 games, and his absence comes as the team faces a three-game losing streak. In response to the injury, the Maple Leafs have recalled forward Fraser Minten from the AHL, who has shown promise in his earlier NHL appearances. Coach Craig Berube emphasized the need for other players to step up in Tavares's absence, recalling the team's strong performance when Auston Matthews was sidelined earlier this season. The team continues to lead the Atlantic Division despite recent struggles in scoring.