Tavares Has Been Rock-Solid for the Maple Leafs Since 2018
When John Tavares was signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2018, many thought he was nothing more than a “shiny object” that a young Kyle Dubas (as the team’s general manager) was chasing. But now, just two years short of a decade later, Tavares has proved his value to the team. He’s worked hard to help the Maple Leafs hold things together ever since he walked through the door in 2018.
Tavares hasn’t been the loudest voice in the room, but he’s been a leader.
The real story with Tavares is that he’s calm, steady, and automatic. He’s never been the loudest guy or the flashiest skater, but he shows up, plays the right way, and gives you honest minutes every single night. You can depend on him the way coaches dream about depending on someone.
And even when he passed the “C” to Auston Matthews, his presence didn’t shrink even a little. If anything, it made more sense for Tavares. Matthews is the face of the franchise, and the former captain just kept doing what he always does behind the scenes. He’s the guy who reinforces the standard without ever needing to point at the letter on his chest.
Tavares’ work ethic hasn’t changed as he’s grown older.
His work ethic hasn’t changed either. Tavares has never relied on speed or flash. If anything, as he’s aged, his preparation has ramped up. His hockey IQ is as strong as ever. He finds soft ice in front of the net, gets the inside position, and wins battles with timing instead of brute force. That’s why he’s aged so well. His game was never built on something time could take away.
And his human side hasn’t gone anywhere. He’s still the family-first, team-first guy he’s always been. He gives credit to his linemates. He talks about his kids. He thinks of the people who helped him get here. In a market that loves noise, Tavares stays grounded.
In the Toronto market, Tavares has become a steady influence.
That’s the part fans sometimes miss. While everyone is talking about who’s coming, who’s going, who’s struggling, who’s the next big splash (or shiny object), Tavares continues to deliver exactly what the Maple Leafs need. That’s stability, leadership, and professionalism that never wavers.
He might not be a shiny object anymore (if he ever was), but he’s still one of the most important players this team has had in the last decade.