John Tavares’ King Clancy nomination proves he is the essential heartbeat of the Maple Leafs retool
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
John Tavares was named Toronto's King Clancy nominee and it's a sign that although he's getting older — he's still going to be vital to the team's retooling.
Much like Oliver Ekman-Larsson has this season, John Tavares continues to be a mentor to everyone in the locker room and though he may not be captain anymore, he still conducts himself like one.
Still managing to put up 70 points even in his advanced age, the bargain-basement deal he signed to stick with the team is looking more and more like a steal and he's still a vital part of the lineup.
The King Clancy nomination and the cultural shift John Tavares is leading in Toronto
But beyond that, he's also been a leader for the Toronto community and that's led to him being nominated for the King Clancy Award — one of the more prestigious personal accomplishments.
The award is presented 'to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.'
Well if that's not John Tavares then I don't know who else could qualify. A staunch humanitarian, Tavares is engrained in the Maple Leafs community and he really does do whatever it takes in order to make everyone feel good on and off the ice.
He joins the likes of Alex Ovechkin, Dylan Larkin, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Ryan O'Reilly and it would be the first time in his career he would receive the award, only adding to his trophy case.
The main focus you can zone in on is the John Tavares Foundation, who is 'dedicated to ensuring that children across Canada have the necessary support and tools to actively participate in their communities and explore their inner passions.'
It's was established in 2020 and so far has been involved in numbs ventures including raising 14,000 pounds of food for the Ballantyne Project which focuses on remote Indigenous communities, as well as $20,000 to the Alexandria Park Project which would help rebuild the basketball court for underprivileged youths.
These are the types of players you want on your team, because in addition to fostering the team on the ice, you need leaders in the community — the same one who supports you so loyally. No one ever has a bad word to say about Tavares, and he's truly one of the most respected players of his generation.
John Tavares and why his leadership is the secret weapon for the Maple Leafs retool
If the Maple Leafs are going to be tearing it down this summer, then Tavares has to be one who sticks around. Not only can he help with the offensive production (especially with less responsibility) but if you're bringing in a slew of young guns; who else could you want to mentor them?
He doesn't need to be the focal point on offence anymore, and with young guys like Nick Robertson — who still could be in the mix — they'll need him to help them out.
You can't really deny that having Tavares around brings any negatives. Sure, he's older and not as fast as he once was but he's so cerebral and still gutting out board battles so he's replaced a bit of his finesse with pure heart.
Toronto's lacked a lot of that recently and thought the course of the season it's been apparent that Tavares shows up every night, win or loss, and puts in as strong an effort as he can.
That's a trait of a true leader, and with Toronto needing a bit of stability as they navigate these murky times, there's no one better than John Tavares to hold down the fort.
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Previously on Hockey Patrol