Year in and year out, John Tavares is routinely disrespected and ignored, solely based on his monetary value to the Maple Leafs. This fact, makes John Tavares one of the most overlooked players in the NHL.

John Tavares signed a 7-year, $77M deal on July 1st, 2018, making him the highest paid player at the time for the Maple Leafs, at $11M per season. Now, he’s in the final year of that deal, and fans speculate on what Tavares’ future looks like with Toronto. John’s style of hockey even in his mid-30s is still essential to Leafs hockey, as he is still a highly skilled centre who excels in the rough and tough areas of the ice. Tavares still fits in as one of the most important pieces in the Maple Leafs puzzle.

The biggest contributor to Tavares’ success is his offensive production. Tavares has consistently been a near point-per-game player, and he has kept it up ever since his breakout season, In 2011-12 he played all 82 games and finished with 31 goals, 50 assists and 81 points. He became the fourth player in Islanders history to score at least 73 points in a season at age 21 or younger, joining Hall of Famers Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier and Denis Potvin. Better known to Leafs fans as ‘Johnny Toronto’, Tavares impressed Leafs Nation in his first season with the club, notching 47 goals and finishing 3rd in the Rocket Richard race. Since then, Tavares was named captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and continued his strong play, finishing near point-per-game for the next four seasons.

Tavares’ is undoubtedly slowing down, but while his point production may not be as strong as it once was, Tavares is still reliable in big moments and he is able to be counted on by the Maple Leafs. Tavares never shies away from a puck battle, creating numerous chances for his teammates to score a goal.

Another one of Tavares’ best qualities, is his unmatched work ethic and leadership. Being a veteran in the league, Tavares automatically takes on a leadership role in a locker room full of youth, giving his years of NHL experience to the future of the Maple Leafs. No matter how the team has played, Tavares is always putting in 100%, finishing his checks, winning puck battles, getting into the dirty areas. While the statsheet might not always recognize Tavares, many of the Leafs’ goals come off the play or the support of Tavares’ hard work around the boards.

Tavares brings a level-headed presence that few others can match. Tavares leads by example, known for his work ethic, commitment, and attention to detail. Even without the captaincy, Tavares is a player that many young players look to for advice and lean on when needed.

During high-stress situations, especially in the playoffs, Tavares’ steady presence is a calming influence. In a market as intense as Toronto, where pressure from the media  and fan expectations are constant, Tavares handles the pressure with poise, embodying the kind of maturity that is crucial for the Maple Leafs’ success.

This season, Tavares has gotten off to a strong start, being a staple on the Toronto powerplay. Usually lining up with William Nylander, Tavares has been a strong supporting piece to Nylander, who is having a great start to the season. No matter who Tavares plays with, he is always a great teammate, who will do whatever it takes to create a scoring chance for his linemates. A good playmaker and goal scorer, John Tavares excels at the unnoticed aspects of the game, making him an underrated piece for the Maple Leafs.

Tavares was recently stripped of his captaincy, in favour of Auston Matthews. Even without the “C” on his chest, Tavares is still the same player that he has been all of his career. This fact leads to Tavares still being the same, valuable player that the Maple Leafs signed all the way back in 2018.

For the player that John Tavares is, at this point in his career, the Maple Leafs are paying him too much. That is what is expected when you sign players like Tavares to long term deals when they’re nearing their thirties. With that said, Tavares is still a unique player for the Maple Leafs, being an effective fourth or fifth option for the club. If Toronto is able to resign Tavares to a 3-year extension worth anywhere in the $5M range, Toronto would be able to retain a strong and reliable player as they continue their strongst years with their core. John Tavares is undoubtedly valuable to the Maple Leafs, giving the team strong support down in the middle of the lineup.