John Tavares is the Toronto Maple Leafs most underrated player of 2024. That statement may raise some eyebrows, especially after the drama following another first-round exit and the captaincy handover.
But when looking at the raw numbers, the 2024 calendar year wasn’t nearly as bad as some might believe. According to Statmuse, John Tavares has played 76 games (it’s December 18 at the time of writing), scoring 33 goals and adding 29 assists for 62 points.
That’s not bad for a guy who’s supposed to be entering the twilight of his career. Moreover, Tavares continues to be the same leader as he’s always been. Frankly, I don’t see a difference in Tavares’ demeanor whether wearing a C or an A on his jersey.
If anything, I’d say Tavares looks “free” on the ice. It’s almost as if a weight was lifted off his shoulders. Anyhow, Tavares continues to consistently produce, making him a valuable contributor to the team.
The Toronto Maple Leafs Most Underrated Player of 2024
Now, we can debate whether Tavares is worth $11 million per season. But the fact is that Tavares doesn’t get the credit he deserves.
Playing on the same team as Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander tends to overshadow Tavares’ contributions. Nevertheless, Tavares is there, patiently waiting for his opportunities like he did in the game against the Buffalo Sabres on December 15.
The hat trick performance against Buffalo is evidence that John Tavares is still very much part of the Core Four. Back in the summer, I made a point about the Toronto Maple Leafs having to trade John Tavares after tastefully stripping him of the captaincy.
I still believe that the Leafs need to move on from Tavares, not because he’s a bad player, but because the Leafs have made it clear that this club belongs to Auston Matthews. However, rumblings abound regarding a potential return in Toronto next season. While it’s debatable how much Tavares is worth, he’s certainly worthy of another deal with the Leafs.
Tavares is 34 but doesn’t seem to be slowing down significantly. He may have lost a step, but he’s still very much an effective player. He’s a solid second-line center though he would be better suited in a 3C role.
In my estimation, Tavares is a good soldier. He’s played well despite the unsavory loss of his captaincy. He’s kept a good attitude, and most importantly, has earned himself another multi-year NHL contract. There should be plenty of teams willing to talk to Tavares, hoping he could inject leadership and depth scoring into their team.
But if Tavares is serious about staying in Toronto, mainly for family reasons, the Leafs would be wise to sign him for another three to four seasons. With the right cap hit, the Leafs lose nothing and gain a savvy veteran who can support the team behind the scenes.
Sure, Tavares won’t be the solution for the second-line centre conundrum. But that’s not what the Leafs would expect from Tavares. Getting Tavares back on board would be a win-win for all parties involved… if the price is right.