John Tavares is progressing well after suffering a lower-body injury during Toronto Maple Leafs practice just over two weeks ago. The 34-year-old got hurt during the team's power play drill after his skate got caught with defenseman Chris Tanev's,

With Tavares out for at least four games, a Maple Leafs team that was already light on centre depth will now see its options tested.

Tavares sustained a lower-body injury last week and Craig Berube updated the status of several Maple Leafs players.

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.

Bottom line, Toronto’s top six forwards have been playing too short lately. Where the Maple Leafs usually closed ranks when any of their Core Four have been out of the lineup, notably if Auston Matthews or Mitch Marner get sidelined,