After another disappointing Toronto Maple Leafs playoff loss, it's time to break up the core four forwards and that might mean moving on from Mitch Marner, who becomes a free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season. John Tavares is extending his hockey playing season by continuing to wear the 'C'. The Maple Leafs captain was given the same responsibility for Team Canada at the World Hockey Championship. Canada opened up their tournament on Saturday against Great Britain. Tavares did not participate after arriving in Czechia on Friday. Tavares has represented Canada on several occasions and won gold at the 2014 Winter Olympics, in Sochi, Russia. He also won gold at the 2008 and 2009 World Juniors. He also helped Canada win the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Tavares also represented Canada at the World Hockey Championships just once before in 2010 when Canada was knocked out in their first game of the knockout stages. The 33-year-old has a lot to prove after a down year by his standards with the Maple Leafs. He scored 29 goals and added 36 assists in 80 games. His .8125 points per game average was his lowest since his rookie season in the NHL back in 2009-10. "It's hard to take in really, to be captain of Team Canada. It's really, really special. It's a tremendous honor and something I won't ever take for granted and really try to enjoy it," Tavares said in a video shared by Hockey Canada. "Knowing we got a full room of leaders, guys that impact the game and the locker room and the team very differently that I'll always rely on, but to have that honor to be the captain and be the leader is something really special and I'm looking forward to." The veteran is eligible for a contract extension with the Maple Leafs on July 1. He currently carries a salary cap hit of $11 million on an average annual value. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related 'I Do Question Just Our Ability As A Group To Get It Done In Those Difficult Times': Why the Maple Leafs May Change Their Core This Time When They've Been Stubborn About it Before [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-do-question-just-our-ability-as-a-group-to-get-it-done-in-those-difficult-times-why-the-maple-leafs-may-change-their-core-this-time-when-theyve-been-stubborn-about-it-before] 'We Want To Get Them As Fast As We Possibly Can': Maple Leafs Express Urgency But Won't Be Rushed Along in Search to Replace Sheldon Keefe [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/we-want-to-get-them-as-fast-as-we-possibly-can-maple-leafs-express-urgency-but-wont-be-rushed-along-in-search-to-replace-sheldon-keefe] Report: Devils Receive Permission to Speak with Former Maple Leafs Head Coach Sheldon Keefe [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/report-devils-have-sought-and-received-permission-to-speak-with-former-maple-leafs-head-coach-sheldon-keefe-] News from THN.com Opinion: Hey, Utah's NHL Club and PWHL Teams – Pick. A. Name. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/opinion-hey-utahs-nhl-club-and-pwhl-teams-pick-a-name] Why is the NHL's Coaching Carousel Spinning Like Never Before? [https://thehockeynews.com/news/why-is-the-nhls-coaching-carousel-spinning-like-never-before] Dancing in the Moonlight: Funniest Reactions to the Bruins and Panthers' Heated Third Period [https://thehockeynews.com/news/dancing-in-the-moonlight-funniest-reactions-to-the-bruins-and-panthers-heated-third-period]
