TORONTO – John Tavares might have pouted or voiced his displeasure.
The Toronto Maple Leafs transitioned their captaincy from the veteran centre to star sniper Auston Matthews over the summer time.
Tavares had worn the ‘C’ in hockey’s largest marketplace for 5 seasons. He wasn’t about to let any broken emotions change his motivation or strategy.
The Leafs are reaping the advantages.
Tavares scored his sixth and seventh objectives of the season Friday — together with the game-winner on a second-period energy play — in Toronto’s 3-1 victory over the Detroit Purple Wings.
The 34-year-old ahead has discovered chemistry with wingers William Nylander and Max Pacioretty on the Leafs’ second line. However how Tavares dealt with the transfer to Matthews as franchise focus has additionally stood out.
“That unwavering focus and work ethic,” Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly stated. “You at all times know what to anticipate, and I believe that’s an underrated high quality. He places within the time and the hassle. He’s only a actual professional.
“I’ve loved taking part in with him, and this 12 months perhaps greater than ever, simply due to every thing. The best way that he’s approached the final couple of months, the way in which that he is available in right here and he simply goes about his enterprise, I believe could be very admirable.”
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Tavares signed a seven-year, US$77-million contract with Toronto in free company in the summertime of 2018. He scored 47 objectives and had 88 factors in his first season, and has been a strong contributor and chief all through the deal.
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The Oakville, Ont., product can also be keenly conscious of his environment with a profession decidedly on its again 9.
“I proceed to simply do what I must do to assist this group win,” Tavares stated. “There’s at all times a perception in myself and the way I can influence the sport and the extent that I can play at. I do know the work that I put in, the enjoyment I’ve taking part in and coming to the rink daily and competing. Love taking part in with these guys and love taking part in right here. It’s particular.
“Simply go on the market and luxuriate in it, have some enjoyable, and provides it every thing you bought.”
Much like Rielly, Leafs winger Mitch Marner is in his seventh season alongside Tavares.
“Hell of a competitor,” stated Marner, who’s on a seven-game level streak. “You’re grateful for him daily.”
Tavares has 463 objectives and 590 assists for 1,053 factors throughout his 1,123 profession regular-season video games.
Toronto head coach Craig Berube has been impressed throughout his first month in cost.
“The captaincy factor, I assumed he accepted it very well,” Berube stated. “In his thoughts, thought it was the suitable factor to do. He’s taking part in very well for us. He’s simply so good in tight areas with the puck.
“Does all these little issues proper.”
These little issues — on the ice and within the locker room — are those that acquired Tavares thus far. He wasn’t about to alter.
“You’re at all times conscious of issues that evolve or is likely to be somewhat bit totally different,” he stated. “You adapt … simply proceed to belief what I do and assist the group the perfect I can.”
ARMY ON HAND
St. Louis Blues basic supervisor Doug Armstrong, who has the identical function with Canada for the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off event in February, was in attendance Friday at Scotiabank Enviornment.
BARE-HANDED EFFORT
Stolarz misplaced his blocker throughout a scramble within the third interval earlier than rising from the scrum with the puck in his naked laborious for everybody to see.
“It was a little bit of a canine pile,” Marner stated. “Good to see him come out with the puck in his hand.
“And nonetheless had all 5 fingers.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Nov. 8, 2024.
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