In the world of professional hockey, few players command as much respect and admiration as John Tavares. As he approaches the milestone of 500 career goals, NHL stars reflect on his profound impact on the game and his unwavering loyalty to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

TORONTO — John Tavares inched closer to history Saturday. And helped his team get back on track. The veteran centre scored the 499th goal of his career in overtime in the Toronto Maple Leafs' 4-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres that snapped a three-game slide.

Three decades later, the 35-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs forward is two goals shy of 500 heading into Toronto’s game against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on Friday (7 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+, SNO, TVAS).

John Tavares signs four-year deal with $4.38 million AAV with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Harman Dayal: The Maple Leafs should be thrilled to get a major hometown discount on this Tavares extension. Tavares, 34, obviously isn’t a perfect player at this ...

John Tavares has received an invitation to Team Canada’s Orientation Camp ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. The 34-year-old is one of 42 players on the men’s side to be invited to the three-day off-ice camp hosted by Hockey Canada in ...

Truth be told, the Maple Leafs likely wouldn’t even have come out of the game securing a single point like they did without the efforts of Tavares, whose two goals on the night gave him 497 for his career, just three shy of the magical 500 milestone.

The Toronto Maple Leafs' disastrous loss to the Kraken couldn't have come at a worse time, as John Tavares finds himself among the most elite of NHL company.

Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares is congratulates by head coach Craig Berube after scoring a goal during a game earlier this year. There’s a pleasant surprise, the Maple Leafs coach thought, as he entered his hotel room during a trip last season and saw several bags of food waiting for him.