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Provided he plays in Ottawa against the Senators in the Maple Leafs’ regular-season finale, the veteran centre will be the only Toronto player to skate in all 82 games this season.
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And given the way 2025-26 has turned out for the Leafs, with no invitation to the Stanley Cup tournament for the first time in 10 years, Tavares has a good idea of what has to come next.
“It’s pretty obvious everyone has to look themselves in the mirror,” Tavares said on Monday night after the Leafs lost 6-5 against the Dallas Stars in their last home game.
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“We have to be a whole lot better. We didn’t come close to where we wanted to get to. That’s on everyone.”
While some think that acquiring a second-line centre has to be among the Leafs’ off-season priorities no matter who is running the hockey side, there would be some pushback from Tavares’ corner.
And let’s be clear — the Leafs have to make upgrades on their blue line before anything else.
Not only has the 35-year-old continued to produce with 31 goals and 71 points in 81 games, 39 of his points have come at five-on-five, second among Leafs behind William Nylander’s 43.
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Defensive issues
Defensively, there are issues, as Tavares has been on the ice for 65 goals against at five-on-five, the most among Leafs forwards. That’s going to have to be curbed in 2026-27.
Tavares hasn’t played in every game since 2020-21, when he played in all 56 games in a season shortened by the COVID pandemic.
“You want to play every game,” Tavares said. “That’s what you work all off-season for. That’s what you work every day for, is the ability to wake up and get to go compete and play in this league.
“Injuries happen at times, but you do everything you can to put yourself in the best spot each day.”
Coach Craig Berube hasn’t had to guess what he will get out of Tavares on any given night.
“His preparation and work ethic, it’s the same every day,” Berube said. “Every practice, every game, and when things aren’t going well, he works his way out of it. He’s a great pro. Been a great pro his whole career. Impressive.”
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