Maple Leafs announce John Tavares out on week-to-week basis

The veteran forward suffered a lower-body injury against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night

Published Oct 17, 2026 • 1 minute read

Toronto Maple Leafs John Tavares lays injured on top of Josh Norris, of the Buffalo Sabres, as Nick Paul looks on in the third period at Scotiabank Arena on Oct. 15, 2026. Photo by Chris Tanouye /Getty Images

John Tavares won’t be in game action for a while.

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The Maple Leafs announced on Saturday morning that the wily veteran will be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis with a lower-body injury.

Tavares was hurt in the third period of the Leafs’ 5-4 overtime loss against the Buffalo Sabres at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night.

The 36-year-old was the only Leafs player to skate in all 82 games last season. For the most part, Tavares’ durability has been a hallmark in Toronto since he originally signed with the Leafs in the summer of 2018.

With Tavares out, the Leafs didn’t recall anyone from the Toronto Marlies to take his lineup spot against the New York Islanders on Saturday night.

John Tavares injured 2 — Toronto Maple Leafs athletic trainer Paul Ayotte tends to John Tavares after an injury in the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at Scotiabank Arena on Oct. 15, 2026. Photo by Chris Tanouye /Getty Images

Tavares joins the club’s top defenceman, Chris Tanev, on the sideline. Tanev also is out on a week-to-week basis.

Tavares was off to a good start offensively, as he has seven points (two goals and five assists) in seven games, but he had been moved to the left wing on Thursday to start the game against Buffalo.

Tavares was hurt during an awkward collision with the Sabres’ Josh Norris.