John Tavares' Future with the Toronto Maple Leafs at Risk: He Is Quickly Losing His Spot in the Lineup

The Toronto Maple Leafs' Core Four has been together for years without much playoff success besides a first-round victory in 2022. The trio of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner have performed great so far this season, but the fourth member of the club hasn't done quite as well. John Tavares has been put on the third line as Toronto rolls with their hot BMW line to start the season and hasn't found his chemistry with his rotation of wingers (minus Nick Robertson) but has still managed four points in six games.

So it stands to reason that Tavares' slightly slow start has to do with him having the lowest ice time ever for his career, playing under 17 minutes a game; a far cry from his career average of 19:21. Toronto could be giving him a little breather as he recovers from his illness, or try and extend him for the season and ensure he's not too exhausted. Or, Toronto is quietly showing Tavares the writing on the wall.

Tavares' desire to remain a Maple Leaf is no secret, and the impact Tavares has made on the Maple Leafs and the Toronto community as a whole has cemented his legacy as one of the most popular and endearing Maple Leafs players of all time.

Still able to contribute, Tavares' 65-point campaign a year ago was considered a slow year for the 34-year-old and this season he was expected to build chemistry with Nick Robertson and new signee Max Pacioretty but with Robertson's frigid start and Pacioretty's inconsistent ice time, it's hard for him to get into the swing of things; something Tavares admitted to recently after dealing with a serious illness:

If Toronto was trying to signal the end for Tavares, they're doing a decent job of it. Able to frame it a few different ways, Toronto can deflect any questions regarding Tavares' role in the future and whether or not the Maple Leafs will re-sign the upcoming free agent; preferably at a steep discount if they do keep him. Toronto could also use Tavares' legacy as a bargaining chip in a potential trade to a contender who is looking for a veteran playmaker with playoff experience.

John Tavares' lack of ice time is a worrying sign for Maple Leafs fans and Tavares himself, but people should trust that Toronto will do the right thing by the former captain given how much he's done for the NHL's most popular franchise.