Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares will be out a 'minimum' of three weeks due to an oblique strain, head coach Sheldon Keefe announced on Tuesday.

Tavares underwent testing Tuesday while the team practised, leading to the diagnosis of his injury.

He recorded 17 minutes, 14 seconds of time on ice playing in one of the team's two pre-season games on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators. Keefe said he had been dealing with the issue since that game.

The 32-year-old, heading into his 14th season, played 79 games last season. He recorded 27 goals and 49 assists for 76 points as the Leafs made the playoffs last year.

Toronto hits the ice for its next pre-season game on Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens. 

The team opens the regular season on Oct. 12 against the Canadiens.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 27, 2022.

The Canadian Press