In-Depth Analysis Will Make You Change Your Mind On Criticized Leafs Star

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Tyler Ball
August 14, 2023 (12:41)

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The Leafs have been the most talked about franchise in the NHL over the past several years. Most of that talk has been centered around the disappointment of the team in the playoffs. This often will fall on the shoulders of four players within the organization. Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander.

John Tavares seems to be the player that some want to be moved the most due to his advanced age compared to the other three members of the core. Many believe his current play and future decline will not be worth the 11 million dollars he is being paid.

In Depth Analysis Of Tavares and the Leafs Core

Youtuber Johnny Hawkey took a look at the Tavares situation and if there was a reason to be critical or if the criticism was not warranted.

I understand the pressure and the blame that gets put on them when the wins don't come in the playoffs. But when people say that John Tavares is incapable of being a good second-line center in the NHL anymore, and that his contract is one of the worst in the league, I start scratching my head. And people like to say that JT is super slow and that he can't keep up in today's game because he keeps getting faster every year. He's never been fleet of foot. He's always been able to be effective. And honestly, he's finding ways to be just as if not more effective nowadays. And the face-off stuff is overblown. He is a fine centerman in the circle. There's nothing wrong with him.

Hawkey talks about the arguments of Tavares slowing down in his later years. He mentions that Tavares' game has never been one predicated on speed. Tavares uses his IQ and skill to carve up defenders and rack up high point totals.

And again, people like to point to the age, that terrible contract with the age, he's only 32. And that terrible contract only has two years left on it, including this upcoming one. And for how bad some people talk about this guy being, you would think that for $11 million, he's giving you 30 points on the season. Guess what? In 80 games, a very healthy season, he scored 36 goals and 80 points in his age 32 season.

Hawkey then goes on to mention that Tavares is still producing at a great rate for someone at the age of 32. His 80 points in 80 games is a dream for most teams at second-line center.

I don't know, I think fans sometimes they just see a guy have one, two, even three bad games, especially if it's in key playoff games. And they'll think, oh, this guy needs to go. He's the problem for the team. And it's not just Tavares with Leafs fans, this happens all around the league.

Hawkey does touch on Tavares' lack of playoff success as a reason for fans' criticism. As with every team when they lose fans will try to find a definitive reason or player to blame. For the last several seasons that has been Tavares who has not been able to keep up his scoring in the playoffs.

But all it takes is one season to have a turnaround in the NHL. Take for example players like Erik Karlsson and Jeff Skinner. Both were considered overpaid just a couple of seasons ago and now are considered stars and worth every bit of their contract even as they get into their mid-thirties. This is entirely possible for Tavares as well. Beyond his play on the ice as well Tavares loves the Leafs and Toronto as a community and will be willing to do anything to bring a Stanley Cup to his childhood team.

Leafs Future Is Still Bright With Captain Tavares

It can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel through all of the disappointments in recent years. The fact still remains though that the Leafs have a great core capable of anything. After the progress of last season and the additions made the Leafs are ready for another Cup run with Tavares at the forefront with the C on his chest again.