Simple Change Could Improve John Tavares’ Game

John Tavares is one of those players who still matters more than people realize. Even if the game around him has changed, even if the Maple Leafs have shifted toward a faster, younger, more transition-heavy group, there’s still a very real place for what he brings. The question now isn’t whether he’s useful—it’s how you use him so you actually get the most out of what’s left in his tank.

Tavares Is an Elite Faceoff Artist.

Start with the obvious: faceoffs. Tavares is still elite in that area, and in playoff hockey especially, that alone can swing shifts, zones, and even games. Those late defensive-zone draws, those power-play starts, those “you need this puck right now” moments—that’s where he still quietly earns his keep. You don’t just throw that away because the legs aren’t what they were five years ago.

But here’s where it gets interesting. The second-line center role is starting to feel like a stretch over a full season. Not because he can’t play NHL hockey anymore, but because of the demands of that position. His speed, rush defence, and the demands of heavy transition minutes might soon start to chip away at what he still does well. And what he does well is finishing plays and thinking the game.

What About Changing Tavares’ Role in the Lineup?

So maybe the conversation shifts a little. Not about removing him from the lineup, but changing his job description. There’s a pretty natural argument for moving him to the wing, where he can stay involved offensively, still work the half-wall, still finish plays around the net, but without carrying the full burden of being a primary two-way center every night. You keep him fresh. You keep him dangerous.

And you don’t lose the faceoff value either. You can still deploy him like a specialist by sending him in for key draws, especially late in games, and then slide him back to the wing once the puck is settled. It’s not unusual anymore. Teams do this all the time with veteran centers who still have elite detail in that part of the game.

Looking Ahead: Could Tavares and Groulx Work Together?

There’s also a development angle here that makes sense. If someone like Bo Groulx is going to take a step forward, giving him more consistent center reps while Tavares handles the tougher situational faceoffs could be a way to ease that transition instead of throwing him into the deep end.

And then there’s the fun thought experiment: what if Auston Matthews gets a different kind of winger again? A more creative, pass-first player who can slow the game down just enough to feed him in the right spots. Someone like Semyon Der-Arguchintsev is probably a long shot, but the idea isn’t illogical. It’s just under-explored. What matters is the concept: surround your finishers with handlers, not just shooters.

The Maple Leafs Need Tavares in the Lineup.

In the end, this isn’t about pushing Tavares out. It’s about keeping him useful in a way that actually fits where he is in his career now. Sometimes the smartest move isn’t less of a player—it’s just a different job.