Something is different with John Tavares and teammates are starting to notice

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Chris Gerics
September 21, 2024 (5:38 PM)

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For the first time since 2018, John Tavares will enter Maple Leafs camp without wearing the captain crest on his jersey, but his motivation for this season has put his teammates on notice.

The team decided to enact a shift in their philosophy this summer, adding defensemen Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson as well as naming Auston Matthews the new captain of the Maple Leafs; it seems like Toronto has a new vision for the 2024-2025 season.

For Tavares though, it seems like he may have some extra motivation given his new role, and he's earned the praise of both his coach and his teammates for the way he's brought himself into camp. New head coach Craig Berube was his usual short, stoic self but had nothing but praise for John Tavares:

He's also drawn the attention of projected linemate and winger Bobby McMann, who is coming into training camp fully healthy and has noticed a shift in Tavares' attitude, and work ethic as it comes to training camp:

"He just loves talking. He wants to win so bad that his preparation is priority. He's always ready to go and he's always a great leader too. He's always trying to to help guys make sure he's pointing them in the right direction, especially me."

Tavares is coming off another successful season with Toronto, where he had 29 goals and 36 assists and although it was a bit of a down year for Tavares, he's not far removed from a 36-goal, 80-point season. He's been one of Toronto's bright spots in the playoffs (minus last year) and he always seems to know where to be on the ice. In his time in Toronto he's averaged over 30 goals and nearly 70 points in his six seasons with Toronto, and having to shoulder the vocal load in addition to his output on the ice didn't seem to deter Tavares at all; and the Maple Leafs are definitely in good hands if he can keep coming up in crucial times like this:

John Tavares is a special talent. He's offensively gifted with elite vision, playmaking and defensive abilities. He's extremely humble and gracious for not only the opportunities in his life, but to be captain of the Maple Leafs for so long. He's clearly motivated by winning for his hometown club, and he's endeared himself to an entire fanbase through his dedication to on and off ice ventures. He's led the Toronto Maple Leafs to great success in the regular season but never got over the hump, but it's not exclusively his fault and he deserves credit for bringing stability and a locker room leader for a young squad who was just coming into their own.

John Tavares is poised to have a breakout season in 2024-2025 if his coach and fellow teammates are to be believed. This spells good news for the Maple Leafs, who would love to have the Stanley Cup theirs once again, and make a dream for Tavares come true.