Bouncing around as the third center for stretches this season, Maple Leafs center John Tavares' has elevated his play.
John Tavares entered this season with some questions surrounding his game. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft, the 34-year-old had just completed his least productive season since his rookie year, registering 29 goals and 36 assists in 80 games. While those numbers aren't bad, for a player carrying an $11 million cap hit, expectations are higher for a career point-per-game player.
This season, Tavares has returned to form. Despite a brief stint as the third-line center earlier in 2024-25, the former captain has stepped up significantly. With Auston Matthews sidelined for the past five games due to an upper-body injury and Max Domi enduring a 12-game pointless streak, Tavares has taken charge. In his last four games, he’s posted four goals and one assist, excelling in an elevated role on the top line with Mitch Marner and Bobby McMann.
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In Toronto's 4-3 overtime win over the Washington Capitals, Tavares played a key role, assisting McMann on a slot goal before scoring the game-winner in overtime. He showcased his speed, chasing down a loose puck in the neutral zone and then beating Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson.
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"He definitely had a little jump in his step," said Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz. "If you put the speed burners on for that overtime goal, it must be those new CCM skates. He's been playing well, being a leader in the room, and he plays a two-way game that the younger guys can look up to. When he's going, it rallies the whole team." CCM even released a video earlier in the week featuring Tavares and Sidney Crosby showcasing their new Tacks skates.
Tavares, in the final year of his contract, will become an unrestricted free agent at season's end. While he’s expressed his love for playing for his hometown team, a decision will soon have to be made. But for now, his focus remains on his game and how to continue contributing.
Under new head coach Craig Berube, Tavares has flourished in a north-south system that has him going to the net more often. Berube has also regularly used Tavares in 3-on-3 overtime rotations, a shift from the past under former coach Sheldon Keefe, who did not rely on Tavares in overtime as much.
"He's been playing really well," Berube said on Wednesday. "He's just a competitor. So good with the stick in tight areas, winning battles—stick battles and all that stuff. It was great to see him get that OT winner."
Tavares has nine goals and seven assists in 17 games this season. That includes a stretch of games where the player admitted he was playing through an illness.
The combination of getting over the illness, while moving up to the second line to skate with Max Pacioretty (who is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury) and William Nylander, Tavares looks rejuvenated and the Leafs are better for it.