SportsHockeyMaple Leafs

Leafs' Tavares awkardly crashes photo with Swedish players in Stockholm

Al Sciola
Al Sciola
|
Nov 15 2023, 9:02 pm
Leafs' Tavares awkardly crashes photo with Swedish players in Stockholm
@MapleLeafs/X

The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently in Stockholm, Sweden, for the NHL’s Global Series. While getting ready for their upcoming game against the Detroit Red Wings, the team took some time to attend the premiere of Borje, the new documentary film about legendary Leafs defenceman Borje Salming, on Tuesday night.

With the buds dressed to the nines for the event, the team’s social media department shared a shot featuring four of their five Swedish players: William Lagesson, Timothy Liljegren, William Nylander, and Calle Jarnkrok.

Fellow Swede John Klingberg was not in the photo, but another John was.

For some reason, Toronto captain John Tavares had been invited to join the group of Swedish countrymen.

And as a result, Leafs fans have been having a bit of a field day on social media, poking fun at the photo with memes and even some jokes at the Mississauga native’s expense.

One X user even called out Tavares’ withdrawn demeanour.

Another adapted his name to make it sound more Scandinavian.

Despite the awkward moment, Tavares seemed to have a great time at the premiere.

“It was an awesome event. A great movie to get some insight on [Salming’s] journey and his background and obviously the impact he made in Toronto,” Tavares said after watching the film. “To see the love and admiration for him here in Sweden is pretty phenomenal.”

All jokes aside though, the Leafs have some pressure to deal with this week, and it’s not just from playing in a foreign country. With identical records of 8-5-2, the Leafs and Red Wings will battle for third place in the Atlantic Division when they face off in Stockholm on Friday at 2 pm ET.

ADVERTISEMENT

SUBSCRIBE TO THE HIVE

Get the latest news sent to your inbox and stay in the loop