Maple Leafs John Tavares Has a Bigger Job Waiting at Home

Some things in hockey matter a whole lot more than the next game. John Tavares and his family have one of those things to celebrate this week. The Toronto Maple Leafs captain and his wife have welcomed their fourth child, and from all of us at Professor Press Box, congratulations to the entire family.

Tavares won't play Saturday against Colorado as he takes time following the birth. That's entirely understandable. Hockey will be waiting for him when he's ready to return, and the next opportunity is Tuesday against Utah.

The Tavares family is growing.

Tavares has four children, an NHL career, and the responsibilities of being an assistant captain of the Maple Leafs. That's a full plate for anybody. I suspect the Tavares household will be lively for a while. And here's another little wrinkle that makes this story interesting. Gavin McKenna, Toronto's 18-year-old first-overall pick, is staying with Tavares and his family.

I've got to think that's a pretty generous household to open up to a young player who's just beginning his NHL life. With four children now in the family and an 18-year-old hockey player under the same roof, there must be plenty going on.

But something more important than the size of the house matters here. McKenna is learning about professional hockey from the inside. He can watch how an established NHL player manages his responsibilities, prepares for games, and balances family life with the league’s demands. Those lessons don't necessarily show up on a scoresheet, but they can matter a great deal to a young player finding his way.

Tavares knows that hockey players learn even when they’re not at the rink.

Tavares has been around long enough to understand that developing a young player isn't just about what happens at the rink. Sometimes, it's about making him feel welcome and helping him settle into a new life. Saturday also gives another Maple Leafs player an opportunity. With Tavares out, Zack MacEwen and Miles Wood are candidates to enter the lineup. Someone else gets a chance to show the coaching staff what he can do.

That's part of a hockey season, too. One player's family celebration creates an opening for another player to contribute.

For now, though, let's leave the lineup decisions to Jim Hiller and wish the Tavares family well. Congratulations on the newest addition. I suspect the future Hall of Famer has some wonderful days ahead of him — even if getting everybody out the door in the morning becomes a little more complicated!