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John Tavares, Toronto Maple Leafs (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Snubbed, Sharpened, Surging: Maple Leafs Tavares Just Turns Up

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By The Old Prof | Last updated Apr 17, 2025 12:55 PM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs‘ ex-captain John Tavares rarely gives you a headline. In postgame interviews, he doesn’t chirp opponents, make dramatic gestures, or stir the pot. He’s steady, composed, and often the first to praise teammates or downplay personal milestones.

But something has shifted if you’ve been watching closely, especially since February. The production is up, the legs look fresher, and the finishing touch is back. And beneath all that, you can’t help but wonder: Is Tavares driven by something deeper than he lets on?

Did the Four-Nations Snub Spark a Tavares’ Surge

It barely made a ripple when Hockey Canada left Tavares off the Four Nations roster. He didn’t rant, mope, or even hint at frustration. He said all the right things, as usual.

But since the Maple Leafs returned from the break on February 22, Tavares has scored 17 goals — that’s the kind of stretch many players would dream of for an entire season. He looks quicker, more assertive, and locked in. There’s a sharpness to his game that seems more than just rest and rhythm.

During the Buffalo Sabres game, a media analyst noted that Tavares was “playing with purpose … the Four Nations snub lit a fire.” If that fire was quietly smoldering before, it’s burning visibly now.

Tavares Has Put Up a Career of Consistency, a Mindset of Mastery

Tavares has always been methodical. He’s been an elite NHL player from the get-go. From his NHL debut to becoming captain (and then being replaced by Auston Matthews in that role) in Toronto, his reputation has been built on preparation, discipline, and professionalism. He’s not flashy — he’s foundational.

But that kind of long-term excellence doesn’t happen without some fire that burns more deeply. That level of consistency, season after season, takes a sort of “get-better” obsession that the great players have. It takes waking up early in July and fixing the slightest flaw in your skating stride. It takes caring more than you let on, especially when nobody’s watching.

Players like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby have earned reputations for their obsession with greatness. Tavares might not talk about it the same way, but all evidence suggests he belongs in that tier, just with the volume turned down.

Why Tavares’ Obsession Matters Now for the Maple Leafs

For the Maple Leafs, this version of Tavares is a massive boost heading into the playoffs. First, he’s healthy. Second, he’s producing at an elite level. Finally, he’s likely more motivated than ever. You have to wonder if he might feel time is running out.

Tavares will turn 35 next season. His contract, and maybe his last great shot at a Stanley Cup, is winding down. The moment could be now. That urgency—whether spoken or not—is showing up in his game.

John Tavares, Toronto Maple Leafs (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

If Toronto goes deep this spring, they need more than just Matthews, William Nylander, and Marner lighting the lamp. They need layers. They need depth. They need Tavares to keep doing what he’s doing.

And if this quiet, burning desire keeps fueling him, then the Maple Leafs have a veteran who could tilt a series. He may not say and never admit it, but maybe that’s the point. Tavares doesn’t need to talk about the fire. He’s playing like a man who’s already feeling the flames.

The Bottom Line for Tavares and the Maple Leafs

If you’re a Maple Leafs fan who has watched this team over the past seven seasons since Tavares has been in Toronto as a player, you have to hope he returns next season on a team-friendly contract. If so, these playoffs likely won’t be his last chance for postseason glory.

You probably will never hear him talk about legacies or regrets. But his play is saying plenty. Driven by quiet intensity — and maybe a little disrespect (really, who knows?) — he’s showing up when it matters. And if Tavares’ fire keeps burning, Toronto’s playoff hopes get much brighter.