John Tavares Responds After Being Called Out By Sheldon Keefe
Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares responded today after head coach Sheldon Keefe called him out specifically following the team's loss to the New Jersey Devils. Tavares took responsibility, noting that he needs to be better.
After the 6-3 loss to the Devils last night, no one in the Leafs organization was happy. Head coach Sheldon Keefe was particularly upset and he let the media know exactly how he felt about the Leaf's performance in the game. Among the players he talked about was the captain, John Tavares, who bore the brunt of the blame from Keefe.
Sheldon Keefe rarely addresses the Maple Leafs immediately after a loss. But the coach called out John Tavares in the room before his public criticism. Now, he's banking on a positive response:
Today, Tavares addressed the media after the Maple Leafs morning practice. He seemed to take responsibility for the loss, echoing his coach's words.
"I think especially as the captain you really want to be at the top of the list for being accountable & setting the standard & the way we need to play."
Comments like these should give Keefe confidence that the captain can turn it around quickly and be an effective leader on and off the ice as the Leafs continue to get through the stretch run of the season. The coach has already expressed confidence in Tavares' abilities, citing past difficulties as evidence that he can lead the team through another difficult stretch.
"He's been great & he will be great. I brought John up yesterday, as I did in the room with the team, because he's our leader & he's got to set the tone for our group"
Afterall, it was none other than John Tavares who scored the series-winning goal to secure the Maple Leafs' first playoff series victory with the current core last season. Those are the kinds of on-ice events that show what NHL captains are made of. The only question that remains is what special moment will Tavares have this year.
Source HockeyFeed: John Tavares responds to Sheldon Keefe's rant as rumours of getting scratched emerge
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