Maple Leafs Coach Sees 'No Signs of Slowing Down' in Aging John Tavares

Tavares, who will turn 35 on Sept. 20, finished last season with 74 points in 75 regular-season games, including 38 goals, tied for the second-highest goal-scoring outcome of his career.

Berube said there were no signs of decline in Tavares' game, adding to the coach's pleasure of having him back for the next four years.

“I didn’t see any signs of him slowing down last year,” Berube said. “I thought he had a tremendous year. For me, I look at Johnny, and everything he does is what is best for the team. That is very important.”

Tavares, who played last season wearing the "A," as the Leafs' alternate captain following his handing out of the captain's "C" to teammate Auston Matthews, said the decision to re-sign with Toronto was clear.

“Even though I left some money out there, I’ve done pretty well and am still doing pretty well and get to play for an amazing club in a great city, a place where I’m from and a team that has a real opportunity to win,” Tavares said. “I've stated clearly that I wanted to stay and wanted to make it work and find a way to make a deal that was very good for both sides. I felt like the fit and obviously the comfort of playing here for so long and with where I am at in my role and with the team, it made so much sense and was the best fit.”

Since joining the Maple Leafs, Tavares has 493 points in 515 regular-season games and 31 more in the playoffs, appearing in 51 postseason games.