Not sure if you missed the 635 replays that Sportsnet showed of John Tavares getting almost decapitated in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens, but it was a shocking thing to watch. The incident, which resulted in Tavares being knocked unconscious and stretchered off the ice, left many fans questioning in the immediate aftermath if the injury could be career-altering.

Tavares miraculously escaped serious injury to his head, neck and spine, coming away with a concussion and a knee injury. He astoundingly returned to the ice before the series against Montreal ended, and could have possibly returned to the playoffs had the Leafs progressed.

The great news, as shared by Kyle Dubas on TSN’s Overdrive radio show, is that Tavares seems to be fully out of the woods and should be 100% in time for the start of next season, which is a huge relief to hear:

Barring any setbacks, the Maple Leafs will have their captain back when their 2021-22 season begins on Wednesday, October 13th against (*sigh*) Montreal.