Near 500-Goal Guy Now a Steal of a Deal for the Maple Leafs

While the rest of the team has struggled, former captain John Tavares has been a standout for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the early stages of the 2025–26 season. At a discounted rate of $4.35 million this season, Tavares has been arguably the team’s best centre, consistently producing and leading by example as Auston Matthews continues to find his footing.

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Fans have been quick to recognize Tavares’ impact. “He’s been the only shining light for me!” tweeted one supporter, while another added, “Feels like Matthews is still fighting it but Tavares has been very good.” T

This is the player the Maple Leafs nearly lost this summer. If not for his willingness to take a team-friendly deal to stay in Toronto, Tavares could have accepted one of many offers in free agency, all of which would have paid him more. Tavares didn’t complain; he didn’t tell the Leafs they had to pony up and find the money to keep him. He took a deal well below his market value, and he’s been delivering since the opening night of the season.

? John Tavares so far this season (9 GP):

? 5 goals
? 7 assists
? 12 points
? +2
? Second-most goals by any Leafs player aged 35 or older through their first 9 games: 5
? 1 goal away from 500

Doing all of this in his age-35 season — after taking a massive pay cut to… pic.twitter.com/SdeozmSMfG

— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) October 26, 2025

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Tavares on The Verge of 500 Goals

Tavares is also on the cusp of a major personal milestone: he is just one goal away from scoring 500 in his NHL career. With 499 goals in 1,193 games played, he is about to become the 11th first-overall pick with 500 career goals. The most recent to reach the milestone was Steven Stamkos. This would make him only the second player in Maple Leafs history, after Mats Sundin, to reach the mark in Toronto.

When asked about how he’s been able to stay so productive into his 30s, Tavares shared, “There are pieces to it. I think the biggest thing is the feeling I still have from when I was a kid — the love and passion that feed into the grind every day to keep working on things, push myself, and find ways to continue getting better. The longer you play, the more knowledge and wisdom you gain, and I’m using that to my advantage.”

As the Maple Leafs try to fight their way through a thus far challenging season, Tavares remains a consistent force. He is outproducing his contract and making a difference.

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