Losing the Leafs' Captaincy This Summer May Actually Be Helping John Tavares

Heading into the new season, the Toronto Maple Leafs decided it was high-time for Auston Matthews to take the next step in his career and truly become the face of the franchise. That next step involved wearing the "C", previously belonging to Tavares, who has handled the whole ordeal with grace and class.

The former captain has 5 goals and 11 points in 11 games this season, which includes a 6-game point streak and a hat-trick performance against the then-unbeaten Winnipeg Jets.

In the off-season, Tavares changed his workout regiment and joined a different facility altogether to get in better shape and be prepared for the rigours of what is sure to be another gruelling campaign. Compounded with his new regiment, removing the weight of the "C" may have made a huge difference for, allowing him to just go out and play. Tavares looks lighter on his feet, quicker, and playing with a lot more confidence.

What could also be helping Tavares is the fact that it's a contract year. Generally, most players tend to have great seasons when a contract is on the line, and Tavares is meeting those requirements 11 games into the year.

It's been reported on a few times since the summer, but both Tavares and the Leafs seem to be on the same page about their future plans and it's only a matter of time before they cross the T's and dot the I's on what should be his last fruitful contract of his impressive NHL career.

Tavares' torrid start is felt all throughout the lineup and if he can stay healthy, look for a potential career year from the 34-year-old, but to accomplish that Leafs, he'll need to best his 2018-19 season, when he put up 88 points in his first year in Toronto.