John Tavares has stepped away from the Maple Leafs for personal reasons and will not practice with the team today.
David Alter reported the absence, and there's no word yet on what's behind it or how long it could last.
Jim Hiller is expected to address the situation after Friday's practice.
Personal reasons means exactly that. Whatever is going on belongs to Tavares and his family until they decide to share it.
A lineup card at a time like this works like a seating chart at a wedding. Somebody fills the empty chair, but everybody notices who's missing.
On the ice, the timing is tricky. Tavares centered Easton Cowan and William Nylander on the projected second line in Vegas.
The 36-year-old has a goal and two assists through five games, and he logged 15:26 of ice time in Vegas on Thursday.
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Maple Leafs facing key lineup decision after John Tavares misses practice
If Tavares can't go Saturday, Hiller has to reshuffle the middle of his lineup on the road.
This is the opening Gavin McKenna has been waiting for. The 18-year-old just hit 23.34 mph on a rush in Vegas while stuck next to Nick Paul and Colton Sissons.
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He has 3 points through five games, the same total as Tavares.
Cowan has been one of Toronto's best early stories, with 4 points on a $900,000 deal.
Nylander shares the team lead with Auston Matthews at 6 points apiece.
Colorado has scored 23 goals in four games, and Nathan MacKinnon already has 8 points.
Cale Makar adds 6 points from the blue line, so Toronto can't afford to look thin down the middle.
The Leafs sit at 2-2-1 after Thursday's shootout loss in Vegas, where they coughed up a 3-0 lead.
Will Hiller know by Saturday morning whether he has his veteran available?
After Colorado, the Leafs visit Utah on Tuesday before coming home to face Buffalo on Thursday.
Hockey answers can wait until Hiller speaks. The human ones belong to Tavares, and nobody should rush him for them.
Should Jim Hiller move Gavin McKenna into the top six if John Tavares misses Saturday?
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