The Maple Leafs held an optional skate at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday.
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After scoring his 500th career goal during a road game last week, Leafs centre John Tavares will be honoured in a pre-game ceremony on Wednesday in Toronto.
“We’re all pretty jacked up about it,” said coach Craig Berube. “I’m extremely happy to be part of it.”
Berube and Leafs players sported shirts and hats reading, ‘Tavares 500,’ on Wednesday morning.
Tavares is only the 49th player in NHL history to reach the milestone and only the second to do it while playing for the Leafs, joining Mats Sundin. The pride of Oakville, Ont. will have his family on hand for the ceremony, which will include a tribute video.
“It’s great to come to the rink every day and see what he does and trying to pick up things from him,” said winger Matias Maccelli. “I mean, he’s a future Hall of Famer.”
Tavares is off to a strong start this season with 16 points in 13 games. He leads the Leafs with four goals in 5-on-5 play.
“I think he’s found another gear this year [with] his skating,” said centre Scott Laughton. “He looks so explosive through the neutral zone, and he can make those plays that a lot of guys can’t make at the blueline. He finds space.”
Laughton, who was acquired in a trade with Philadelphia at the deadline last season, trained alongside Tavares throughout the summer.
“You see how successful he is with how much work he puts into himself,” Laughton said. “He finishes every puck in practice. He does the little things like that, and that’s the first thing I told him when I got here is I’m excited to learn from him. I’ve definitely learned from him a ton.”
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Tavares is known for his focused, detailed approach, but Laughton pointed to another trait that doesn’t get a lot of attention.
“I didn’t know Johnny much before coming here,” he said. “One of the funniest guys I’ve ever met. Seriously, one of the funniest guys I’ve ever met and one of the greatest pros I’ve seen.”
Laughton’s comment about Tavares’ sense of humour elicited follow-up questions from reporters.
“I don’t know how to describe it, but he makes me laugh a lot,” Laughton said. “It’s a little bit dry.”
Tavares usually comes off as very serious during media sessions.
“Away from the cameras, he’s just like any of us,” winger Nick Robertson said with a grin. “He’s joking around. He’s talking. He’s not as reserved as you guys may see.”
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Laughton will be playing for the first time since blocking a shot off his foot in a pre-season game on Oct. 2.
“I’m going to have that nervous energy,” the 31-year-old forward said. “I think it’s a good thing to have ... I’m super excited. You train all summer, you come back, and something like that happens.”
The road back has been a grind.
“Hopefully I don’t have to see the gym for a while,” Laughton said with a smile.
After producing just six points in 33 games with the Leafs last season, Laughton is determined to make a bigger impact this season. He got off to a strong start at training camp before suffering the injury in the penultimate pre-season game.
“He’s always bringing that energy,” said centre Nicolas Roy. “Even in pre-season, making a lot of good plays, good on faceoffs, can play a more defensive game as well, can play in different roles. So, yeah, good to have him back.”
Laughton will start Wednesday’s game on the fourth line with Max Domi and Steven Lorentz and is also expected to contribute to the penalty kill.
“I think the energy will be there,” Laughton said. “It takes you a little bit to get back into game shape when you’re out that long. You can’t replicate a game. I’ve been skating, but you can’t replicate those battles that you have throughout a game. Just the little parts of it. So, yeah, there’s going to be a little bit of rust for sure.”
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The Leafs have won four of five games, but remain unsatisfied with their inconsistent level of play. During the second period on Monday, Toronto was outshot 17-3 while falling behind the Penguins 3-0.
The Leafs rallied to win with four unanswered goals in the third period.
“The first two periods were unacceptable on our end,” Robertson said. “Credit to us, we came back and battled through that, but we don’t want to be in that position again.”
The Leafs have allowed the first goal in six straight games.
“What we saw in the third period, that’s what we’re looking for here right away to start the game,” Berube said. “You know, that team played last night. They’re on a back-to-back, so play with pace, energy and get after them.”
The Mammoth beat the Buffalo Sabres in overtime on Tuesday night to improve to 9-4-0 on the season.
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Robertson has delivered three goals and three assists in five games since being a healthy scratch on Oct. 24. What is the winger liking about his game lately?
“My effort,” Robertson said. “How hard I work and moving my feet and trying to do the little things right. That’s just how I like it. I just want to keep moving my feet, keep complementing my teammates.”
Robertson’s strong play has earned him an extended look on the top two lines. He’ll start Wednesday’s game beside Tavares and Bobby McMann on the second line.
Robertson averaged 11 minutes of ice time in his first seven games. He’s up to 15 minutes and 10 seconds in the last five games.
“I’ve given him more opportunity, but he’s deserved it,” Berube said. “And I think that’s part of it. And that’s confidence, right? He feels good about his game. He feels [he’s] getting a lot of good puck touches, you know, getting shots, scoring. He’s confident. That’s a big part of the game.”
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After missing Tuesday’s practice for maintenance, Anthony Stolarz returned to the ice on Wednesday morning and is set to make his 11th start of the season.
Anthony Stolarz back on the ice after missing Leafs practice yesterday for maintenance
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 5, 2025
In line to make his 11th start of the season tonight against Utah @TSN_Sports pic.twitter.com/9AkDI2SX5K
Meanwhile, Joseph Woll continues to take part in practices and may be ready to play again soon.
“It’s getting close,” Berube said. “I don’t want to give you a timeline and then it’s changed, but I can just say this: He’s in a real good spot.”
Woll missed most of training camp and the start of the regular season for a personal leave of absence. He returned to practice with the Leafs on Oct. 27.
General manager Brad Treliving previously said Woll will likely go on a conditioning stint in the American Hockey League before playing again with the Leafs.
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Projected Leafs lineup for Wednesday’s game:
Knies - Matthews - Nylander
Robertson - Tavares - McMann
Joshua - Roy - Maccelli
Domi - Laughton - Lorentz
Mermis - Rielly
Benoit - McCabe
Ekman-Larsson - Myers
Stolarz starts
Primeau
