Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares has had quite the year.
The 34-year-old has done everything asked of him and then some as the team sits first in the Atlantic Division – even though it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for him. In fact, Tavares deserves to be the Maple Leafs’ nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded to the NHLer who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication” to the sport.
Certainly, Tavares qualifies on all counts for the Masterton. We’re talking about a veteran who had the Maple Leafs’ captaincy taken from him and given to teammate Auston Matthews, and he did it without complaint.
Tavares has also had a terrific bounce-back season after seeing his point total drop to 65 points in 80 games last year. He has 70 points in 68 games – his best points-per-game average since his first year with Toronto in 2018-19, when he posted 47 goals and 88 points in 82 games. He’s also scored 36 goals and is bound to exceed the 36 he had in 2022-23. He even missed some time due to an injury in January, but that didn’t faze him.
Instead, Tavares has been one of the Leafs’ most consistent performers, scoring eight game-winning goals, which ties him for Toronto’s lead with fellow star William Nylander. Tavares can’t be negatively affected by obstacles in front of him.
That includes the likely pay cut he’ll have to take if he wants to remain a Maple Leaf. Tavares is in the final season of a seven-year contract worth $11 million annually, and the team also has Mitch Marner becoming a UFA and Matthew Knies becoming an RFA.
That knowledge of his financial future might sour other players, but not Tavares.
"Professionalism and the mindset he has, day in and day out – he's almost like having another coach around," Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube told reporters Wednesday night. "The preparation daily never changes."
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