Maple Leafs’ John Tavares nears 500 goals, teammates reflect

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John Tavares doesn't want to think too much about it.

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However, the Maple Leafs center couldn't contain a certain mindset.

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35-year-old Tavares began his 17th season in the National Hockey League on the verge of becoming part of a rare group.

He scored 494 goals during his NHL career. Tavares is six points shy of 500 points.a milestone that only 48 players in league history have achieved.

About 8,000 players played in the NHL. The math here is pretty simple: what Tavares is about to achieve is amazing and should be celebrated as such.

“I try not to think about it,” Tavares said with a smile during an interview with Postmedia this week.

Tavares then added, “I'm kidding, I'm just kidding.”

How does Tavares assess his potential to score 500 goals in the NHL?

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“It's tough,” Tavares said. “I just want to continue to enjoy the game and I love to compete. This is as good as it gets. You play in the best league in the world. And you get to play for probably the biggest club in the world.”

Of the 48 NHL players with 500 goals, eight played for the Leafs in their careers: Frank Mahovlich, Lanny McDonald, Mats Sundin, Joe Nieuwendyk, Patrick Marleau, Ron Francis, Dave Andreychuk and Mike Gartner.

However, only Sundin scored his 500th NHL goal while wearing the blue and white Leafs uniform.

Sundin capped off a magical night on October 14, 2006 at home when he shot wide of the glove Calgary Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff would lead the Leafs to a 5–4 overtime victory. It completed the hat trick for Sundin, and given the importance of the goal, it was only fitting that the late, great Bob Cole was on call that Saturday night for Hockey Night in Canada.

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Tavares is fighting to become the next NHL player to score 500 goals. The only other current NHL player who could reach 500 points in the 2025-26 season is Patrick Kane of the Detroit Red Wings, who sat in 492nd place heading into the Wings' season opener on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. Next on the list of active players are two Los Angeles Kings – Corey Perry (448 career goals) and Anze Kopitar (440).

Tavares surpassed two other NHL milestones some time ago, but both have scored more than 500 goals in league history.

He is one of 404 NHL players to have played 1,000 games (his current mark is 1,185) and one of 100 NHL players to score 1,000 points (his mark is 1,116).

When NHL players say they only think about the next game, Tavares, who sticks to a strict daily routine, epitomizes that mindset. Yet while his focus is on the present, he is aware of the historical significance of what is at hand.

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“It’s hard to believe,” Tavares said. “As you get more experience, you get older, you appreciate things more and more.

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“I continue to pinch myself more than I did when I was younger, appreciating the opportunity to play in the league and play as long as I did and the respect you have for your teammates and any player that plays in the league and how difficult it is to be here.

“The things that are needed to allow me to have the success that I've had, the people around you that contribute so much to it all. My time in New York (with the Islanders from 2009-18) was huge for my growth as a player and as a person.”

“I wasn't trying to focus on (500 goals). You want to earn it first before you can really appreciate it.

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“You know it's just around the corner. I feel grateful because not a lot of guys make it to 17, right? I'm here now and I just want to continue to enjoy it.”

After scoring 272 goals in 669 games with the Islanders, Tavares scored 222 goals in 516 games with the Leafs.

Tavares' Leafs teammates are excited about what's to come. Here's what some of them told Postmedia about this important milestone:

Captain Auston Matthewswhose 402 goals keep him 18 goals short of breaking Sundin's record of 420 goals.

“It's just a matter of time. It's really no surprise that he's been so consistent throughout his career because he's so consistent in every detail of his life, on and off the ice. The work and effort that he puts into his health, his body, his skill in general, in general. The guys know those things, the milestones, and they want to make it happen. We all want to achieve the same goal together as a team (win the Cup Stanley), but milestones ahead by the way, you want to celebrate and be there for each other. When the time comes, we will be as happy for John as anyone.”

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Defender Morgan Rielly

“I think it's amazing. This one is a little different (given that so few people have scored 500 goals). When you know him and know what he does, it's honestly not surprising at all. It's incredibly surprising that he has the will and drive to continue his regimen and of course continue to do what he's doing, but the performance itself is not surprising at all, in the best way.”

Partner Bobby McMann

“It's a crazy bunch, considering the number of players that have come through the NHL, the number of guys that have tried to make NHL rosters, the number of guys that have tried to play 500 games. To contribute that often is something that people really appreciate, and John can really hang his hat on it. You don't do that without total dedication to the game, total dedication to keeping your body healthy, your mind. Having a consistent summer – that's what it is.” 17 years now that he's been in the league? You do it for the love of the game, but also for the guys around you. He's an incredible person and player in that regard.”

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Defenseman Chris Tanev

“It's amazing. He's really recruited, probably the most recruited player in the NHL, I think. We grew up playing against each other. I'm a year older than him, but he played his age in most of his minor hockey games. We played against each other a lot. We knew each other. We're a lot tighter now playing with each other. When you think about any milestones, everyone looks forward to it.” them, especially those that are very rare for guys. I can't say enough about him.”

Forward Steven Lorenz

“For him to be so close to this milestone… it's going to be a special day for him on an individual level. All the guys grew up watching him play the game when we were younger, before we broke into the league. The fact that he's been so consistent for so long is a testament to him as a professional and his character as a person. He's a professional. He does everything right. Of the thousands who have played in the league for over 100 years, that's a big achievement.” honor. He's coming. to join some elite company and he deserves it.”

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Defenseman Brandon Carlo

“(Around 500 goals) it's crazy. You see it on the ice, competing with him one-on-one. As a defenseman, I have a lot of respect for his game because of how hard he has to defend. Coming here (in a trade with the Boston Bruins last season) and seeing his process, the way he carries himself, it's right up there with the best I've seen in terms of making the right plays and making the right plays.” actions off the ice. He sets it up. example in this leadership role. I began to respect this very much. He's just a wonderful person.”

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