Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares didn’t hide his disappointment after learning he wouldn’t represent Team Canada at the upcoming 4 Nations tournament.
That said, the former Maple Leafs captain made it clear he hasn’t given up on donning the red and white jersey again in the future.
“John Tavares says he got a call from Hockey Canada last weekend informing him that he wasn’t selected for the 4 Nations team,” NHL insider Chris Johnston reported on X. “Says he’s ‘disappointed,’ but expresses hope he’ll be able to fight to be in the mix for Team Canada again down the road.”
Despite the snub, Tavares appears focused on staying productive at the NHL level, which could keep him in contention for future Team Canada rosters.
The 33-year-old center is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, leading to speculation about his future. Given his comments, it’s fair to assume he’s not contemplating retirement anytime soon.
Tavares’ aspiration to represent Canada again could also influence his next contract. For Tavares to be considered for a future Team Canada roster, he should need to at least maintain some sort of high-level production.
That could give the Maple Leafs an advantage in negotiations, as the team offers him the chance to skate with stars like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander while being a perennial contender.
While free agency could bring more lucrative offers to Tavares’ table, his priorities may align with staying in Toronto, where he has a proven support system.
Tavares has appeared in 26 games this season scoring 12 goals and notching 11 assists for 23 total points. During his tenure in Toronto, Tavares has racked up 442 total points in 465 games.