Leafs will keep big picture in mind with injured Tavares

SPORTSCENTRE Reporter

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The Maple Leafs held a skate (game group) and practice on Friday at the Ford Performance Centre. 

John Tavares took part in a team skate for the first time since suffering an oblique strain on Sept. 24.

"It was planned," said coach Sheldon Keefe. "He was in the morning skate group, which is a lighter load than the main practice group. It's part of his progression. He stayed out after and got some individual work in. Very encouraging sign that he felt good."

The Leafs will start ramping up the captain's workload on Monday and Tuesday. Toronto will open the regular season with games against Montreal and Washington on Wednesday and Thursday before hosting Ottawa on Saturday Oct. 15. 

Initially, Keefe said the 32-year-old centre was expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks (until Oct. 15). 

Coach checks in with the captain ahead of Leafs morning skate John Tavares taking part in his first team skate since suffering the oblique strain on Sept 24 @TSN_Edge pic.twitter.com/zYjAdMU3Zj

"Obviously, we would love and would want John back, but we will be very mindful of the bigger picture and making sure that it's not something that's going to linger with him," Keefe stressed. "He's feeling really good and it's encouraging and positive, but ... we'll be very mindful of the fact we want him to be free and clear of this before he gets into game action."

The Leafs will get a couple players back from injury on Saturday. Defenceman Jake Muzzin (back discomfort) and winger Pierre Engvall (foot) will play in the final exhibition game, Keefe confirmed.  

John Tavares skated with the morning group on Friday, it's his first team skate since suffering an oblique strain on September 24th. Head