John Tavares’ 1,200th game more than just milestone – Hockey Writer – Toronto Maple Leafs
John Tavares became the 12th active player to reach the 1,200-game mark in his NHL career on Sunday night with a loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. While the Carolina Hurricanes robbed Tavares of a monumental night with three consecutive goals, the 35-year-old did score his ninth goal of the season and the first time a player scored in his 1,200th career game with the Maple Leafs.
With the loss, Tavares also became the 137th player to reach the games milestone, tying the 1,200-game mark of another former Maple Leaf, Owen Nolan.
Tavares’ milestone game a moment to reflect on his journey
The landmark game also served as a reminder of just how dominant Tavares has been throughout his career. From being the No. 1 overall pick in 2009 to joining his boyhood team as a free agent, Tavares’ name no longer grows up among the top echelons of players in today’s hockey circles the way it once did.
In fact, Tavares was left off Team Canada in last season’s Four Nations tournament, although he is on pace to score 38 goals and 74 points in 75 games in 2024-25. If nothing else, he has been a solid offensive player throughout his now illustrious career.
As for his time with the Maple Leafs, he has been an important role player, providing clutch goals in critical moments while also opening the door for younger players on the team such as Matthew Ninis and Easton Cowan to serve as the team’s veteran leader.
Tavares leads by example in latest contract
However, his leadership goes far beyond what he says in the locker room or what he does in 1,200 games. His leadership is one of the most interesting in the room, according to Scott Laughton, and his recent contract negotiations with the Maple Leafs saw him take a significant pay cut to stay in the blue and white.
Of course, on the open market, Tavares could have gotten a bigger contract — either more money or a longer deal. But this past offseason, he received a four-year contract extension with an average annual value of just under $4.4 million, laying the foundation for other Maple Leafs to lower their blows in the coming seasons to maintain core capabilities. This is exactly the kind of leadership the Maple Leafs were looking for when they brought him in.
Tavares’ Maple Leafs run is far from over
Now having played 531 games with the Maple Leafs, Tavares is playing at a pace approaching points per game and shows no signs of slowing down in the 2025-26 season. As of Tuesday, he had played 16 games for the Blue and White, scoring nine goals and 21 points.
RELATED: Why the Maple Leafs don’t look like Craig Berube’s team
While he may represent the veteran presence on the team, his efforts allow him to continue adding personal milestones while maintaining the team’s overall goal of earning a Stanley Cup berth. It’s not out of the realm of possibility for him to score 600 goals and 1,300 games with three years left on his contract – something that would certainly secure his place in hockey history.
Nonetheless, Tavares has officially played in 1,200 games and has become a household name in the hockey world, becoming the 137th player in NHL history to play 1,200 games, the 47th player to score 503 goals, and the 61st player to score 1,135 points. Still, as Tavares continues to climb the rankings, his milestone is far from complete.
