Predicting a Point-a-Game Season for Maple Leafs’ John Tavares

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Old Prof | Last updated 8/6/22

Can the Toronto Maple Leafs’ John Tavares be a point-a-game player in 2022-23 like he was in 2018-19?

The Maple Leafs’ captain experienced a much easier summer in 2022 than he did in 2021. There was no concussion to heal from and no knee injury to rehab. That helps as he prepares for this coming season.

Tavares Is Aging, But Can Still Produce

With some accuracy, the 31-year-old Tavares is regularly critiqued for his lack of skating speed and his declining offensive skills. There’s been some talk about moving him to the wing on the team’s second line.

And, while the Maple Leafs’ first line is set with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and Micheal Bunting forming one of the top lines in the NHL, the team’s second line seems to need another piece to make it more functional game after game.

Might Nicolas Aube-Kubel Become the Key to a Stronger Second Line?

I wonder if the signing of Nicolas Aube-Kubel might be, in part, an answer to the second-line question. If there were a hardier puck-digger on the second line – shades of Zach Hyman or even with the skill of another Bunting, that line could become more productive. It was OK with Alex Kerfoot riding shotgun, but it could be improved.

For his part, Aube-Kubel comes with the reputation of tenacity. He’s not known to be a scorer; but, as a physical player, he’s top-notch. Can he be that missing piece on the Maple Leafs’ second line?

And, if Aube-Kubel might be the go-into-the-corner, puck-digger could he improve that second line?

Envisioning a Line-Two Conveyor Belt

Tavares has elite hand-eye coordination. He can knock pucks out of the air as they are headed toward the opposition’s goalie. Partner William Nylander is not afraid to put pucks on the net. So a potential conveyor belt of Aube-Kubel in the corner, to Nylander circling the perimeter, to Tavares taking up position in front of the opposing goalie? It just might be perfect.

If it is, could Tavares make it over the point-a-game plateau he surpassed during his first season with the Maple Leafs? It’s that puck-digger that’s the key.

Looking Forward to the 2022-23 Regular Season

It will be fun to see how the second line is tweaked during the regular season to take advantage of the skills and propensities already present in two-thirds of the line.

I predict a strong season for Tavares. Can he make it over the point-a-game hump? Could do? For sure. Will do? Maybe.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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