John Tavares pushing for a more regular ''best-on-best'' hockey schedule

Leafs captain John Tavares has had the rare opportunity to represent his country in a best-on-best scenario on a number of occasions. He takes nothing for granted and knows just how blessed he is to have had the opportunity to do so, while many of the younger players now have not.

Tavares was one of the NHL players who was very vocal about wanting the NHL players to be able to attend the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. Unfortunately, COVID-19 had other plans.

The Leafs' captain has been a big proponent of regular best-on-best play, whether that means an established tournament like the World Cup of Hockey, or a new best-on-best tournament that would occur more regularly.

"Other sports have a really good job of that. We need to develop some type of calendar that's really consistent. I think that provides a lot of clarity for players, for the league, for everybody. Whether it's one event, a couple events, having some of that would be really good for our game and good for everybody.

"But I think, no doubt, especially with skipping at the Olympics this year, everyone playing for their country, that national pride, best on best, it's hard to recreate that. And it's so rare for us."

- JT on the idea of more routine international competition