On Sunday night, John Tavares became just the twelfth active player to reach the 1,200-game mark in his NHL career in a losing effort for the Toronto Maple Leafs. While three straight goals from the Carolina Hurricanes stole Tavares’ milestone night, the 35-year-old scored his ninth goal of the season, marking the first time a player has scored in his 1,200th career game while donning the Maple Leaf.
The loss also made Tavares just the 137th player to reach the games played milestone, tying another former Maple Leafs player – Owen Nolan – with the 1,200 games mark.
Tavares’ milestone game is a moment to reflect on his journey
The milestone game also reminds us of how dominant Tavares has been in his career. From his first overall pick in 2009 to joining his childhood team as a free agent, Tavares is not the name raised in the top tier of players in hockey circles today as he once was.
Tavares was even left out of Team Canada for the 4 Nations tournament last season while on his way to 38 goals and 74 points in 75 games in 2024-25. If nothing else, he has been a consistent attacking player throughout his, now illustrious, career.
As for his time with the Maple Leafs, he has been a key role player who has provided key goals at key moments, while also opening his door as a veteran leader on the team for the younger kids coming in such as Matthew Knies and Easton Cowan.
Tavares sets a good example in the latest contract
However, his leadership extends far beyond what he says or does in the locker room during the 1,200 games he has prepared for. His leadership emerged as one of the funny guys in the room – according to Scott Laughton – and his recent contract negotiations with the Maple Leafs, in which he took a large pay cut to stay in blue and white.
On the open market, Tavares certainly could have secured a bigger contract – whether it was more money or longer term. But last season he was a four-year extension is assured with an annual average value of just under $4.4 million, paving the way for other Maple Leafs to take lower hits in coming seasons to keep the core intact. That’s the kind of leadership the Maple Leafs were looking for when they brought him in.
Tavares’ run with the Maple Leafs is far from over
Now, with 531 games under his belt with the Maple Leafs, Tavares has played at a pace of nearly one point per game and has shown no signs of slowing down in 2025-2026. As of Tuesday, he scored nine goals and 21 points in 16 games for the blue and white.
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While he may represent a parent well within the team, his efforts have allowed him to continue adding to his individual milestones while maintaining the team’s overall goal of a Stanley Cup berth. For him, with three years left on his contract, 600 goals are not out of the question, nor is 1,300 games – points that would certainly secure his place in hockey history.
That said, with officially 1,200 games under his belt, Tavares has already worked his way to major fame when it comes to hockey circles, as the 137th player with 1,200 games played, the 47th player with 503 goals, and the 61st player in NHL history with 1,135 points. Still, the milestones are far from over for the Tavares as he continues to climb the ranks.
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