Toronto Maple Leafs: John Tavares Is Worth Every Penny

Do Toronto Maple Leafs fans really understand how good John Tavares is?

When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed John Tavares to a seven-year deal worth $11M AAV, the city erupted. It was already a holiday in Canada, but it felt like an even bigger celebration as the Leafs finally recruited a big-name free agent to come back home.

Although his salary was expensive, the cap was supposed to go up and that $11M AAV wasn’t supposed to be one of the biggest contracts in the NHL by now. However, as we reflect on that contract, that deal is worth every penny.

Tavares is a perfect captain for this team. He’s well-spoken, doesn’t stir up any drama in the media and is as professional as they come. He’s also a local kid, which makes wearing that “C” that much more special for him and the organization.

As the former first-overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Tavares has lived up to every expectation. Although he hasn’t lifted a Stanley Cup, his point production and consistency is one of the best of the past decade.

The Toronto Maple Leafs Captain Should Be More Appreciated

As we sit today, Tavares has 12 points in 12 games, which includes six goals and six assists. He finds his way on the scoresheet every night and is consistent as they come.

In 882 career NHL games, Tavares as 831 points (stats: hockeydb.com). That’s a 0.94 points-per-game average, so since essentially 2009, Tavares has scored a point in every NHL game he’s played.

When we look at the Toronto Maple Leafs roster, the names of Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews and William Nylander always get mentioned before Tavares. Although he’s the captain, his name never gets mentioned as the person who needs to step up.

Maybe it’s because he’s playing well, but the fact that a captain of the Leafs isn’t getting any criticism speaks volume to him. I’m not saying that he deserves criticism but in Toronto, even a future Hall-of-Famer like Mitch Marner can get spoken of like they’re a fourth-line scrub, so that should say everything about who Tavares is.

Tavares had 11 straight 20-goal seasons before finishing with 19 goals in a shortened 56-game season last year, but he’s once again on-pace for that mark. In fact, he’s currently on-pace for 41 goals, which would be the second time he’s done that.

He’s one of the most underrated players in the NHL because he brings it every night and there’s rarely a game he looks lost. Even after a devastating injury last year, Tavares would have been ready by the Second Round and available to help his team battle for a Stanley Cup.

Let’s all take a moment to thank Tavares and give him his flowers because he deserves every second of praise and will be a huge factor if this team makes a push in the playoffs this year.