John Tavares Out vs. Avalanche; Nick Paul in Line for Top-Six Role

John Tavares will miss the Toronto Maple Leafs’ game at Colorado on Saturday after leaving the team following the birth of his son. The NHL confirmed that Tavares will not play. This is a family-related absence, not a reported injury.

Toronto has an important second-line assignment to fill against the Avalanche. Tavares has one goal and two assists through the team’s first five games, and his absence affects both his linemates and how fantasy players should evaluate the Leafs’ middle six.

Nick Paul is the leading replacement candidate

Nick Paul is the top candidate to center William Nylander and Easton Cowan, according to the NHL’s Saturday game preview. That would put Paul between two offensive-minded wingers, but the combination is a projection, not a confirmed starting line. Paul scored his first goal as a Maple Leaf in Thursday’s game at Vegas.

If Toronto confirms the trio, Paul could become a useful inexpensive way to gain exposure to Nylander’s line. Cowan’s appeal also depends on whether he keeps that second-line spot. Nothing has been announced about who takes Tavares’ power-play assignments, so a bigger special-teams role for Paul or Cowan should not be assumed.

DraftKings DFS implications

For the October 10 DraftKings NHL slate, Paul costs $2,700 (center), Nylander at $6,400 (wing) and Cowan at $2,900 (wing) for Toronto at Colorado. Tavares remains in the player pool at $6,500 but is unavailable for this game.

Paul offers the clearest potential value change if the expected line holds, with Nylander the established higher-priced option and Cowan another lower-cost teammate. That is a lineup-construction angle, not a guarantee of increased shots, ice time or production. The players’ even-strength and power-play assignments still need confirmation.

Check Toronto’s final combinations before contest lock and adjust any stacks that still include Tavares. For the wider slate, see our October 10 DraftKings NHL breakdown.