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John Tavares Skates For First Time Since Injury

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Just one week ago, John Tavares was stretchered off the ice after a terrifying head injury. At the time, most were worried more about his day-to-day health than whether he would be back for the Toronto Maple Leafs this postseason. The team announced that Tavares had suffered a concussion and a sprained MCL on the play, which would keep him out for at least two weeks. Today, he was back on the ice skating before the Maple Leafs practice. Kristen Shilton of TSN reports that he stayed on the ice for about 20 minutes, sharing the pad with Nick Foligno who is dealing with his own injury.

It is an incredible sight to see after Tavares was knocked unconscious partway through the first period in game one of the Toronto-Montreal series, and could suggest that a return to the lineup can come a lot quicker than many expected. The Maple Leafs have a commanding lead in the series after winning the last three and could eliminate the Canadiens later tonight.

In his absence, Alexander Kerfoot has moved into the second-line center position between Alex Galchenyuk and William Nylander, but getting Tavares back would be a huge boost to the Maple Leafs if they do make it to the second round. The team’s entire identity is structured around having two elite centers driving separate lines, though they are currently getting big contributions from players lower in the lineup.

Not only would the added offense be welcome, but obviously getting their captain back would be big for the Maple Leafs as well. Morgan Rielly told Shilton that “it’s huge, just having him here and being able to talk to him.”

Nick Foligno Will Play Tonight Despite Absence From Morning Skate

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  • While Maple Leafs forward Nick Foligno wasn’t at their morning skate today, he will play tonight relays Joshua Clipperton of the Canadian Press (Twitter link). Pressed into playing down the middle following John Tavares’ concussion and knee injury, he was seen walking gingerly after Saturday’s game two against Montreal.  Riley Nash took his spot at the morning skate and would have been Foligno’s replacement had he not been available.

Latest On John Tavares

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Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas met with the media to provide an update on center John Tavares who suffered a concussion in a scary collision with Montreal’s Corey Perry in the opening game of their first-round series on Thursday night.  The good news is that he was cleared of all structural damage to his head, neck, and spine, relays Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston (Twitter link).

However, in addition to the concussion, Dubas revealed that Tavares also suffered a sprained MCL on the play, Johnston tweets.  That carries a minimum recovery time of two weeks although the concussion will certainly keep him out longer.  When asked about that potential timeline, Dubas was non-committal for when his captain might return (via TSN’s Kristen Shilton):

We have to be very careful and keep in mind he has a young family and there’s an onus on us to protect his future in that regard.

The important thing is that he was discharged from the hospital early on Thursday and has avoided any serious structural injuries but Toronto will be without their captain for the foreseeable future as they look to try to put together a long playoff run.  The second game of their series against the Canadiens goes tonight.

Snapshots: Tavares, Bodie, Da Costa

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With John Tavares now resting at home following his scary injury last night, the Toronto Maple Leafs must continue without their captain for the time being. The team confirmed that he suffered a concussion and everyone that watched last night’s frightening episode is just hoping Tavares can get back to full health. The 30-year-old has felt the support from the hockey community. He released a statement this afternoon through Twitter:

The support I’ve felt since last night cannot be put into words. I’m thankful to share that I’m back home and recovering. Thank you to my family, friends, teammates, the Maple Leafs organization, Leafs Nation and the hockey community for being by my side. 

Also, thank you to both medical teams, emergency services and everyone at St. Mike’s Hospital for their exceptional care to help me get back on my feet.

I look forward to when I can wear the Maple Leaf on my chest again. Until then, I’ll be cheering on the boys along with Leafs Nation as we compete in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

The Maple Leafs will bring Pierre Engvall and Alex Galchenyuk into the lineup for game two tomorrow night, scratching newcomer Riley Nash after just one game with the team. Tavares’ absence will be felt throughout the entire lineup, with trade deadline acquisition Nick Foligno taking his spot in the middle of the second line.

  • Troy Bodie, who served as the Maple Leafs’ director of pro scouting, has moved on to the Seattle Kraken organization, taking a position as director of hockey and business operations for their AHL affiliate in Palm Springs. Bodie is married to the daughter of Tim Leiweke, former Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment CEO, and current CEO of the Oak View Group, which is involved in the ownership and management of the Kraken properties.
  • Stephane Da Costa, who last played in the NHL during the 2013-14 season, has once again re-signed in the KHL. The 31-year-old inked a new two-year deal with Yekaterinburg after his outstanding 57-point season for Ak Bars Kazan in 2020-21. Da Costa has been a star in the KHL for several seasons, making the league All-Star Game on three different occasions.

Toronto’s John Tavares Stretchered Off Ice In Game One

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May 21: Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters including Chris Johnston of Sportsnet after the game that Tavares is “conscious and communicating well” but will spend the night in hospital for further testing. An update came from the team in the morning when the veteran forward was discharged from hospital:

Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares has been discharged from the hospital this morning. He was thoroughly examined and assessed by the neursurgical team at St. Michael’s Hospital and the club’s medical director. He was kept overnight for observation and is now resting at home under the care and supervision of team physicians. Tavares will be out indefinitely. 

May 20:  The long-awaited postseason reunion of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens got off to a start that no one hoped to see. Maple Leafs captain John Tavares was forced from Game One on Thursday night just over ten minutes into the game following a serious head injury. Tavares required the use of a stretcher to leave the ice. He has been taken to a local hospital. There has been no further update as to his condition.

Tavares’ injury, while horrific, was completely unintentional. The Leafs star was checked by Montreal Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot while in transition. Montreal’s Corey Perry, following the play at full speed, skated by Tavares just as he fell to the ice. Perry’s knee struck Tavares directly in the head, launching the Hab into the air and knocking the Leaf to the ice. Toronto’s medical staff attempted to help Tavares from his prone position up to his knees, but he could not maintain his balance and fell back to the ice in a scary display of the immediate aftermath of a violent collision. The decision was made to bring the stretcher out in order to get Tavares off the ice. The captain was able to signal with a thumbs up as he exited, but this will not eliminate the fear and concern surrounding his condition.

Tavares, 30, is unlikely to return to the ice any time soon for the Maple Leafs, if at all this postseason following what was obviously a major head injury. It is a huge loss for the team, both on the ice and in the locker room. Tavares played in all 56 games for the Leafs this season, recording 50 points along the way. The anchor of the Leafs’ second line and a key piece of the top power play unit, Tavares was third on the team in scoring and second in assists. He is also Toronto’s top face-off man, enjoying a second consecutive season with career-best success at the dot with a 55.3% FOW. Tavares, of course, is also a locker room presence and an important part of the Leafs’ leadership group. Toronto will have to regroup and refocus in order to make sure that they don’t let Tavares’ loss, no matter how shocking it was to watch, cost them their first-round series.

Everyone at PHR wishes Tavares and his family the best during this frightening time.

Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Erik Kallgren

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have added another name to the goaltending depth chart, signing Erik Kallgren to a two-year, two-way contract. The deal will carry an average annual value of $750K at the NHL level.

Kallgren, 24, was selected by the Arizona Coyotes in 2015 and actually did sign his entry-level contract, but left the organization in 2019. His contract was terminated and he returned to Sweden, where he just recently led Vaxjo to an SHL title. Kallgren was dominant in the playoffs, posting a .937 save percentage in ten games and registering a goals-against average of just 1.74.

Interestingly, Kallgren signed a two-year deal with Frolunda in the SHL just a few days ago, which confuses things a bit. It could mean that the Maple Leafs have agreed to loan him back to Sweden for the time being, signing him only to grab his restricted free agent rights, or perhaps he had a change of heart. It will be interesting to see where he starts the 2021-22 season.

The Maple Leafs would have had quite a few looks at the big goaltender, given their interest in one of his teammates. Pontus Holmberg, who was named playoff MVP on the championship Vaxjo squad, is a Toronto draft pick himself.

Ben Hutton Dealing With Non-COVID-Related Illness

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  • Maple Leafs defenseman Ben Hutton doesn’t have an injury but he’s not currently available due to a non-COVID-related medical issue, mentions TSN’s Kristen Shilton (Twitter link). The situation is currently being monitored by team doctors.  Toronto brought the 28-year-old in at the trade deadline for injury depth heading into the playoffs but only suited up four times after being acquired from Anaheim.

Toronto Maple Leafs Promote Hayley Wickenheiser

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When the Toronto Maple Leafs parted ways with player development director Scott Pellerin earlier this year, there were some whispers that the role would be filled by a “high-profile” name. That has certainly proven true, as today the team promoted Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser to senior director of player development. Wickenheiser will be joined by new director of player development Danielle Goyette. Skills coach Darryl Belfry will oversee the technical development, while Willy Sibley has been promoted to director of development operations and analysis.

Wickenheiser has been working with the team since 2018 as an assistant director of player development, while also completing her education at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine. The legendary forward is arguably the greatest woman to ever play hockey and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019. Four Olympic golds, seven World Championship golds, an NWHL title, a CWHL title, and a CIS title, Wickenheiser did everything possible as a player. She is now crossing new bridges as an executive, once again paving the way for women that will come after her.

She won’t be doing it alone, as former national teammate Goyette joins the Maple Leafs after more than a decade as head coach of the University of Calgary. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017, Goyette brings another two Olympic golds, eight World Championship golds, and an NWHL title as a player. It would be hard to find a more decorated pair.

North Notes: Canucks Front Office, Campbell, Nash, Philp

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There could be some changes in Vancouver this offseason in regards to the team’s front office. At least that’s what The Province’s Patrick Johnston states. The scribe writes that several names are surfacing if owner Francesco Aquilini is ready to make changes.

One name that Johnston writes about is Geoff Courtnall, who could serve as a middle man between ownership and the general manager. Despite the lack of NHL experience since retiring in 2000, he has expressed an interest in getting involved with hockey management and is quite familiar with Aquilini.

The scribe adds that there is a legitimate chance that Vancouver may be looking to replace Jim Benning as well. He makes several suggestions of candidates who could replace Benning, including recently fired ex-Rangers GM Jeff Gorton, Toronto assistant GM Laurence Gilman, Colorado’s assistant GM Chris MacFarland and possibly Scott Mellanby.

  • Sticking with the Canucks, The Athletic’s Thomas Drance reports that forward Elias Pettersson will not play Sunday or any of the remaining three games of the season, shutting him down for the season. Pettersson, who has been out since March 2 with an upper-body injury, has 10 goals and 21 points in just 26 games this season.
  • Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said that the team will go with Jack Campbell as their No. 1 goaltender to start the playoffs over veteran Frederik Andersen, according to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston. Campbell likely deserves the nod after performing well this season, especially recently. Campbell finished the regular season with a 2.15 GAA and a .921 save percentage in 22 appearances. Keefe also said the team intends to put Riley Nash into the lineup immediately now that he’s been activated off LTIR (via Hockey News’ David Alter). Acquired for a seventh-round pick just before the trade deadline, the center has not played a game with Toronto yet. “We’re gonna get him involved right away and just rely upon the fact that he’s very smart player very experienced guy, and in the NHL and the playoffs in particular, trust that he’s going to fit right in.”
  • The Calgary Flames announced that forward Luke Philp was injured in practice Sunday and will miss the team’s final three games of the regular season. Philp had yet to make his NHL debut and was likely to get a chance in one of the team’s next three games, but will now have to wait until next season for another chance. Philp had eight goals and 17 points in 30 AHL games this season.

Maple Leafs Activate Frederik Andersen Off LTIR

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The Maple Leafs will have a third option between the pipes when the playoffs come around.  CapFriendly reports (Twitter link) that Frederik Andersen has been activated off LTIR, paving the way for him to return to the lineup. He had been on a conditioning assignment with AHL Toronto, allowing six goals on 46 shots in a game and a half.

It has been a difficult season for the 31-year-old who has battled injuries over the second half of the season as well as some inconsistency.  The result has been a career-low .897 save percentage along with a 2.91 GAA, the highest of his career which is far from optimal considering he’s a pending unrestricted free agent.  As a result, Jack Campbell started to cut into his playing time and with the run he has been on lately, he likely will enter the playoffs as the starter.

Accordingly, Andersen’s goal at this point is likely to show that he’s ready to dress as the backup ahead of David Rittich who was brought in at the deadline as insurance with Andersen on the shelf.  The Maple Leafs have two games remaining in the regular season on Wednesday and Friday so he won’t have much time to show that he’s ready to go.

In corresponding moves to get back to cap compliance, Toronto has sent Rasmus Sandin back to the taxi squad and placed winger Zach Hyman on LTIR retroactive to April 18th.  While he technically is eligible to be activated at any time, their cap situation makes it quite unlikely that he’ll play in their final two regular season games.  However, with no salary cap in the playoffs, he should be available for the opener with the North Division playoffs expected to start on May 19th.

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