Tavares’ Injury Opens Up Big Opportunities For Leafs’ Depth Forwards

The Toronto Maple Leafs received unfortunate news early in their training camp, when captain and star center John Tavares suffered an oblique muscle strain and was sidelined for three weeks. That puts him out of action for the beginning of the 2022-23 regular season, and that’s not ideal for the Leafs’ plans for the year. Tavares is a bedrock player, centering Toronto’s second line, and he’s an established point-per-game performer. It will be extremely difficult for any single player to provide what Tavares brings to the table. That said, Tavares’ injury opens up opportunities for the Leafs’ depth players, many of whom are in line for bigger paydays if they can prove their value at a time like this.

For instance, forward Alex Kerfoot – heavily and regularly rumored to be on the trade block, given the fact he’s in the final season of a contract that pays him $3.5-million this year – has shown in the past he can play center at an impressive level, and last season, the 28-year-old posted career highs in assists (38) and points (51) while averaging only 15:12 of ice time in 82 games. If Kerfoot can be a playmaker for the wingers on the second line – probably star sniper William Nylander, and a winger to be named later – he’ll increase his value as a trade asset. Once Tavares returns, Kerfoot may shift back to the wing on the second line, but the reality of his contractual situation means he’s still a very likely candidate to be moved before the trade deadline.

The other possibility for Toronto’s second line is new acquisition Calle Jarnkrok. The 31-year-old Swede was signed as an unrestricted free agent by Leafs GM Kyle Dubas, and although initial plans by Buds management had him playing on the wing on either the second or third line, Jarnkrok has played center in the past, including for the Calgary Flames last season. He played on Calgary’s third line, but Jarnkrok could be given more responsibility as the pivot on the second line until Tavares returns, and perhaps carve out a spot on the wing of the second line.

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Tavares’ injury also will affect the opportunities on the wing for some notable Leafs players. Youngster Nick Robertson could be given a chance to thrive alongside Kerfoot or Jarnkrok, and he may not get a better look than he will during Tavares’ absence. The 21-year-old Robertson was an effective American League player with the Toronto Marlies last season, but NHL success has eluded him in his short spurts in hockey’s top league. If he can produce offense in the immediate future, Robertson can make a case to stick around on the wing and benefit from Tavares’ skills as a playmaker.

The other player who can take advantage of the opportunity that comes his way now is training camp tryout and veteran forward Zach Aston-Reese. The domino effect of movement in the Leafs’ second line could open up a spot on the fourth line for the 28-year-old Aston-Reese, who has five seasons and 230 games of NHL experience, and who can play impressive defense and forecheck as well as anyone. There’s competition for spots on Toronto’s fourth line, but Aston-Reese could get a leg up on his fellow Leafs hopefuls by playing a robust physical game.

There could be additional players who stand out and will be given decent playing time to start the season – young forward Alex Steeves has impressed early at camp, as has former Avalanche winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel – so there’s no shortage of candidates to take advantage of the spot that has opened with Tavares’ absence. Leafs management and fans won’t be picky on who rises to the challenge, so long as at least one of the aforementioned depth players does so.