Photo credit: Sergei Belski – USA Today Sports

The changes that ex-Leafs captain John Tavares has had to endure this summer were significant, but his attitude has remained surprisingly good in spite of it all.

Tavares will enter the 2024-25 season under a microscope, but no longer as captain. After relinquishing the “C” to Matthews this summer, Tavares will be playing on an expiring contract, but seemingly without any sort of a chip on his shoulder, displaying his respectful and humble nature.

For the savvy veteran, it’s just another day in the office as he looks to continue to help on and off the ice, as much as he possibly can. In Nick Barden’s recent article on The Hockey News, Tavares was asked if things feel different and if he’s ready to adjust to the new changes:

“There’s definitely going to be certain responsibilities that Auston will take on that, you know, things that I had to take on. And some of that is just naturally throughout the course of the year, especially, I think either with you guys in the media or through the fan base and the messaging and communicating that way,” Tavares said.

“But everything’s been really natural. I think me and Auston have a tremendous relationship, a great amount of respect for each other, and obviously I’ve spoken a lot about what I think of him and obviously the type of player and person and what he’s become and the opportunity for him to really step into this and take another step and continue on the way he’s been leading.

“But from that standpoint, and for me, just to continue to do what I do. It may be less front and center, but a great, great challenge for me, great opportunity to adapt. I don’t want to say, think about or recognize those differences too much, but I know it will be a little bit different, but I don’t think it changes a lot on how I approach the game, how I play and how I lead and how I can impact the group.

“So just kind of going about my business day to day, and like I said, excited about the group and supporting Auston.”

“You could say he’s hungrier than I’ve ever seen him.

“He just loves hockey, and he wants to win so bad that his preparation is always dialed. He’s always ready to go, and he’s always a great leader too. He’s always trying to help guys, make sure he’s pointing them in the right direction, especially me. I felt like a lot of leadership has come from him and guidance, so it’s been great.”

Head coach Craig Berube took a different, yet slightly similar stance as McMann, when asked about his thoughts on the former captain:

“Same guy, nothing’s changed; he’s still a great pro.”

Tavares will be playing his 16th season and 7th with the Maple Leafs in 2024-25 but will be needing a new contract at the end of the year. There were talks about an extension earlier in the summer and while it will roll into the season, there doesn’t seem to be much worry coming from either party involved.

Tavares will be looking to bounce back – at least for his lofty standards – after posing 29 goals and 65 points in 80 games played. His 65 points were the lowest he’s put up in a full season since his rookie campaign in 2009-10. Perhaps with the monkey off his back, he can play his natural game and not have to worry about being the captain of one of hockey’s biggest markets in North America.