The Toronto Maple Leafs have a conundrum on their hands. Centre John Tavares is expected to be out week-to-week with what appers to be some kind of leg injury. The injury, specifics unknown at this point, but most likely a knee or groin issue, is going to sideline the 34-year-old Tavares for a few weeks.
Honestly, it’s too bad. When John Tavares signed with the Maple Leafs, no one envisioned him being this good in the final year or his deal, but his resurgent season has breathed life into his career. A solid season like the one he’s having now could turn into a multi-year deal this summer.
The injury, while an unfortunate setback for Tavares, now most likely forces the Toronto Maple Leafs hand.
The Leafs were already desperate for centres before this happened.
Tavares Injury Could Force the Toronto Maple Leafs Hand
Max Domi has been playing 3C for a while now, and it's clear that a healthy Leafs lineup needs an upgrade. The Leafs have two of the best centres in the NHL in their top six, but they have zero depth and, as we've seen, when either Tavares or Matthews goes down, they are extremely exposed.
If the Leafs cannot find an internal solution, which looks doubtful at this point, then the club will have no other choice but to go out and get a centre. Teams know that the Leafs are hurting, literally, and look to fleece them, accordingly.
Don’t expect the Leafs to get a discount on a second-line centre. GMs around the league are licking their chops, hoping Brad Treliving will give them a call sooner rather than later. The price tag has just gone up and the Treliving will need to make a tough choice.
Earlier, I had written about how the Toronto Maple Leafs could have pulled a “Kucherov” with Auston Matthews and sit him out until the playoffs.
Obviously Matthews is back and playing well, so what about Tavares?
Why not put Tavares on LTIR for the remainder of the season?The Leafs have no cap-space to work with, and are more or less in an unworkable situation. Taking advantage of the rules and getting a $11 million worth of upgrades would make a massive difference in their fortunes.
Obviously, Tavares needs to be legitamately injured, and he is. Since he's 35, who is to say how long he needs to recover? Putting him on the LTIR gives the Leafs plenty of flexibility to make a splash.
With Tavares taking one for the team, the Leafs can get more pieces to make a strong playoff run. Then, the Leafs can activate Tavares ahead of Game 1 of the playoffs. It worked for Tampa and Las Vegas, so why can’t it work for the Leafs?