April 28, 2025 2:53 pm EDT
TORONTO — So, John Tavares, right? He’s out here playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Ottawa Senators and almost had the game in the bag. But guess what? The NHL’s concussion spotter had to go and ruin everything by pulling him out of overtime. Can you believe it?
Tavares, poor guy, took a hit to the head from Ottawa’s Artem Zub during his first shift in overtime. And let me tell you, he was down on the ice for a hot minute. Now, this triggered the whole mandatory removal thing under NHL rules. Talk about bad luck, huh?
He was out of the game for more than 10 minutes, missing a crucial four-minute power play for the Maple Leafs. And get this, he had no clue what was going on while he was getting checked out in a back room at Canadian Tire Centre. Must’ve been frustrating, to say the least.
According to Tavares, “I had no idea that there was a power play. I was obviously pulled out and I had to go through the protocol.” Can you imagine being in his skates? Not really sure why this matters, but the NHL’s “Concussion Evaluation and Management Protocol” says a player has to be removed if they show signs of a possible concussion. Like, lying still on the ice, having trouble with balance, looking lost, or being slow to get up. It’s all part of the game, I guess.
The team is supposed to follow the concussion spotter’s lead and get the player checked out in a quiet room. The evaluation usually takes about 15 minutes. Tavares was only out there for a few seconds before getting blindsided by Zub. The guy didn’t even see it coming. Tough break, huh?
After the game, the Leafs didn’t hold back on their feelings about the hit. Coach Craig Berube said, “I don’t like the hit. Puck’s nowhere near him. Looked like a head shot to me.” And Mitch Marner added, “You’re interested to see why nothing gets called on that, but that’s sometimes how the play goes. Johnny’s fine and ready to go, so that’s all that matters.” At least his teammates got his back, right?
Tavares, who’s been killing it in the series, didn’t let the hit slow him down. He was back on the ice for practice the next day, working on his skills with the team. “I feel good,” he said. “A little bit of soreness just in my jaw and cheek area, but I felt good. Felt good on the ice today.” Good to hear he’s doing okay, right?
But man, being pulled out of the game with so much on the line must’ve been a real gut punch for Tavares. The guy’s a beast in overtime, scoring clutch goals when it matters most. Not really sure if I’d handle being benched like that, but hey, safety first, right?
In the end, Berube said he supports the league’s efforts to keep players safe. “It’s important,” he said. “You’ve got to make sure guys are OK. It’s in all sports, right? It’s important to do that. Nothing you can do about it.” And he’s right, safety should always come first, no matter what.
(Photo of John Tavares celebrating his Game 4 goal: Steve Russell / Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Chris Johnston, the senior writer covering the NHL for The Athletic, has been in the game for a while. With two decades of experience, he knows his stuff. You can catch him hosting the “Chris Johnston Show” on the Steve Dangle Podcast Network. He’s a real pro in the hockey world. Go give him a follow on Twitter @reporterchris.
