Tavares part of alternate universe

With John Tavares, Morgan Rielly and Patrick Marleau named alternate captains before a puck was dropped, the Toronto Maple Leafs seemed to be all about keeping the focus on playing hockey rather than the business of hockey as training camp opened Thursday at the MasterCard Centre.

“For management and the organization to feel, as a new guy coming in, that I can make that kind of impact right away on the group and be looked upon as a leader, I’m very thankful for (that), and I don’t take that for granted,” Tavares said. “I understand what that means and what that represents, and how important that is ... (I will) just go out there and just be myself and do the best I can for this hockey club.”

Marleau and Rielly wore As last season with the Leafs. Tavares had been captain of the New York Islanders and was chosen to be an alternate over Auston Matthews, whom many believe will one day captain this team.

“We’ve obviously added a player to our mix that’s been a captain for a long time before,” new Leafs GM Kyle Dubas said of Tavares. “And we have excellent existing leaders. And we have young players that have leadership qualities to them that we’re going to try to continue to develop.

“I think that patience in this matter is much better in the long run than rushing to name a captain to pacify the demand we have a captain. That best serves the organization and best serves the leaders in our group.”

Still, the business of the game — William Nylander was not at camp, remaining without a contract but with talks continuing — contrasted with the wave of optimism coming from the players who are expected to lead this team to the playoffs for the third year in a row.

“(Nylander is) not going to come here and risk an injury if something goes wrong. You understand that from a player’s perspective,” forward Mitch Marner said. “He’s a big part of our team. Hopefully the contract (dispute) ends soon and he gets back out here … you’ve got to do what’s best for yourself and you family. You understand that.”

Word is he’s looking for about $8 million (U.S.) a year, with the Leafs offering between $6 million to $7 million.

“We’re continuing to have dialogue with him,” Dubas said.

Questions surrounding the whereabouts of talks regarding contract extensions for other key players — including Matthews, Marner and defenceman Jake Gardiner — promise to be a counterbalance to the idea the team is built not only to win now but in the future.

“There hasn’t been too much talk,” Marner said of his negotiations. “It doesn’t matter. Obviously I have this full year ahead of me.”

As the players headed to Niagara Falls for three days of workouts at the Gale Centre, there was optimism all around.

“Going in every year as a player, the mindset’s always to go out there and win the Stanley Cup, and then individually to continue to have growth as a player and a person,” Tavares said.

“We’re excited. When you have that type of expectation and everyone has their eyes on you ... it’s a great opportunity.” JOHN TAVARES ON THE LEAFS’ HOPES

“Obviously there’s a lot of excitement and attention around the team and high expectations, but all we can do is control what we can control, and worry about what we do on a daily basis, and how we get better, and going out there and giving it everything we can, and wanting to reward our team and the city and fan base ...

“But we’re excited. When you have that type of expectation and everyone has their eyes on you, I just think it’s a great opportunity.”

The Leafs, with Tavares in the fold and younger players bound to get better, are among the Cup favourites. Those who set the betting line in Vegas have taken notice. As have players around the league.

“It’s nice to hear that, it’s nice to have those things said about you, but we still have a lot to prove as a group,” Dubas said. “We haven’t won a playoff series yet so we have to start by focusing on that today and tomorrow and giving ourselves the most chance we can year in and year out.

“We have an exciting group of young players … (the expectations are) a testament to the players we have and their talent and the work they’ve put in so far.”