The Leafs announced Thursday that Tavares had been placed on IR while listing him as “week-to-week” to make his return. Per the NHL rulebook, Tavares will be forced to miss at least seven days while on IR.

The Toronto Maple Leafs released an injury update on former captain John Tavares, days after Auston Matthews returned to action for the 2024-25 NHL season.

Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving pointed out that "it's not fantasy hockey," and he's right. But it's incumbent upon him to get in front of the market if he's looking for another pivot.