Important update on two injured Leafs

Tavares has been out since early in training camp with an oblique strain that was expected to keep him out of the lineup for three weeks, meaning that if his original timeline stands, he'll miss the start of the season. Liljegren is recovering from hernia surgery that he had two days into camp and wasn't expected to return until November at the earliest.

For now, Liljegren's recovery will provide the Leafs with $1.4M in cap relief as he is on LTIR to begin the season. That will also provide Rasmus Sandin the opportunity to play in the Leafs' top-6 on the blueline to start the season. Tavares' injury may provide Nick Robertson the opportunity to start the season with the Leafs and in the top six forward group as well - though, Robertson may have been there anyway with his stellar play.