John Tavares may have two assists to start the season, but his skating and his shot have declined, and the Toronto Maple Leafs have to take a look at these statistics.
After a 1-2-0 start to the NHL season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have some very obvious problems that need to be fixed. While John Tavares has two assists so far, he hasn't exactly been the version of himself that Leafs fans are used to.
In fact, at 36 years old, it would appear as though Father Time is finally starting to rear its ugly head. According to new statistics just three games into the season, Tavares' shot velocity has gone from 88.46 mph to 63.95. Furthermore, his top skating speed has gone from 22.66 mph to 20.23 mph.
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Three games are not enough of a sample size to truly say whether or not the Maple Leafs need to do something with John Tavares. However, this is enough to give the front office some pause.
Tavares is getting older, and he is currently playing center, which is a position that has always been outside of his wheelhouse. He is a natural winger, and the Leafs have forced him into the second line center role.
This has led to years of speculation that the Leafs need to get themselves a true second line center. With Tavares declining in terms of his skating and shooting, those demands are getting louder.
What can the Maple Leafs do?
The Maple Leafs have a dilemma right now, and it might just involve putting William Nylander at center. Or perhaps it includes putting Easton Cowan in that second line center spot.
Whatever the case may be, it is clear that Gavin McKenna has not been the second line partner that Maple Leafs fans have been hoping for.
It feels like that second line needs to be broken up. That begins with McKenna receiving a demotion, and Tavares being moved to the wing.
At 36, Tavares' decline will only become more apparent, and that is a difficult situation for the Maple Leafs to parse. One has to wonder if John Chayka wants to make a big move, such as acquiring a guy like Elias Pettersson.
The Leafs need to win now if they want to keep Auston Matthews around. Tavares has done his best with the Leafs, but sometimes, changes need to be made. Chayka is not afraid of making those changes, and now, the Leafs are in a peculiar situation.
Whether or not Tavares can fix some of these auxillary statistics, remains to be seen.
Do you believe the Toronto Maple Leafs will get rid of John Tavares?
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