NHL player injury: Toronto Maple Leafs receive concerning John Tavares injury update as his return timeline emerges

The Toronto Maple Leafs have recently received a concerning update regarding John Tavares's injury after the veteran forward suffered a lower-body injury during the recent matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. The 36-year-old is expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks, making Toronto deal a significant challenge as it looks to maintain momentum early in the 2026-27 NHL season.The incident occurred during a match against the Buffalo Sabres, where Tavares collided with Sabres forward Josh Norris, and Norris hit him in his knee, resulting in the lower-body injury.As per reports, Tavares has been listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury earlier. However, the Maple Leafs have not confirmed a specific diagnosis, making it difficult to establish his return timeline. The Maple Leafs have not confirmed a specific diagnosis, making it difficult to establish an exact return date.Toronto Maple Leafs veteran forward John Tavares set to miss multiple weeks after dealing a lower-body injuryThe Toronto Maple Leafs have received a concerning update on John Tavares after the veteran forward suffered a lower-body injury during their recent matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. The 36-year-old is expected to miss multiple weeks, dealing Toronto a significant setback as the team looks to maintain momentum early in the 2026-27 NHL season.The incident occurred during a match against the Buffalo Sabres, where Tavares collided with Sabres forward Josh Norris early in the third period, sending him to the locker room immediately on Thursday. The Maple Leafs’ veteran didn’t see the contact coming and took a tough hit to his lower body, potentially his knee.Earlier, Tavares missed just 14 games in the last five seasons, according to Sportsnet, and had missed one game already this season to be there for the birth of his son. But this injury could keep him away for a considerably longer period.Currently, reports suggest that his spot will now be replaced by Nick Paul. Nick Paul is among the leading candidates to take over the second-line center role, potentially providing the team with an opportunity to adjust its lineup without significantly disrupting its top unit.Meawnhile, Auston Matthews should remain in his top-line role with William Nylander and Jack Roslovic. Also, players such as Kirill Marchenko and Easton Cowan could feature in the reshuffled forward line. The club could also add Colton Sissons and Teddy Blueger to play center,With Tavares expected to remain unavailable for at least the immediate future, Toronto's ability to adapt could prove crucial during the opening stretch of the season. Although the week-to-week designation offers an initial indication of his absence, the Maple Leafs have yet to announce a specific return date.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.