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John Tavares Discussion

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I was his harshest critic the past two years. He's really played well this year and I'm pleased to admit that.
 
If how he’s playing this year is any indication… we may see the best Tavares during this season’s Playoffs.
 
ToneDog said:
It was getting ugly last year when he wasn't getting much 5v5 production and I was starting to think the posters who were against signing JT because of his skating and potential decline might have been right. Nice to see a guy who left money on the table (yes he did, Isles offered 8x11m even if you do not believe Sharks offered 7x13m) to play for our Leafs turn it around and not have to read posts questioning his skating, contact and the C on his chest. Putting up points with both Nylander and Marner which should shut down the claims that he needs Marner to succeed.
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Tavares has a strong history over his entire career of making his wingers better
 
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I can't stop watching his perfectly placed little flip pass to Nylander followed with the suddenly signature Nylander snipe. Seems he's finally back to normal after the scary injury . Bring on the points.
 
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Amadeus said:
I was his harshest critic the past two years. He's really played well this year and I'm pleased to admit that.
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I take these words back folks! It's been pretty up and down to be honest. He started off really well, but he's been a non-factor recently again.
 
I’m going to pop a bottle of champagne when his contract runs out and we can show his slug ass the door. He should be ashamed of himself. I’m embarrassed he’s our captain.
 
If anyone wants me to downgrade this from an appreciation thread to a discussion thread just let me know.
 
Tavares really goes through a lot of spells where he doesn’t do anything. Last year he was in the toilet for a long time and then rebounded big down the stretch and his past issues were explained as being a new parent or learning the defensive game and taking on more responsibility. This year he sleepwalks, plays 5 on 5 like he’s chasing a bouncing ball and doesn’t seem to control the play in any way. When the game is a disaster like the Montreal game he doesn’t step up. Doesn’t finish a check. Doesn’t scrum or increase energy levels and looks older than Jason Spezza. What does he even do around here?
 
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Stephen said:
Tavares really goes through a lot of spells where he doesn’t do anything. Last year he was in the toilet for a long time and then rebounded big down the stretch and his past issues were explained as being a new parent or learning the defensive game and taking on more responsibility. This year he sleepwalks, plays 5 on 5 like he’s chasing a bouncing ball and doesn’t seem to control the play in any way. When the game is a disaster like the Montreal game he doesn’t step up. Doesn’t finish a check. Doesn’t scrum or increase energy levels and looks older than Jason Spezza. What does he even do around here?
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Problem is you can not trade him.
I would ask him waive his NTC
 
Stephen said:
Tavares really goes through a lot of spells where he doesn’t do anything. Last year he was in the toilet for a long time and then rebounded big down the stretch and his past issues were explained as being a new parent or learning the defensive game and taking on more responsibility. This year he sleepwalks, plays 5 on 5 like he’s chasing a bouncing ball and doesn’t seem to control the play in any way. When the game is a disaster like the Montreal game he doesn’t step up. Doesn’t finish a check. Doesn’t scrum or increase energy levels and looks older than Jason Spezza. What does he even do around here?
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Well said. At what point do we seriously consider stripping the C from him?

I can honestly say that Phaneuf was a better leader and at the very least showed some fight and pride in the sweater.
 
I've said it before, Tavares looks like a passenger. Was on a heater early in the season but yeah, he looks old. And it's only year 4 of his contract, kinda insane.
 
Even though his play is clearly in utter decline, it would be nice if he at least played with some heart and effort. He's not even trying anymore and it shows glaringly. Been awful in 2022, not even up for debate.
 
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lipstickjunkie said:
Any chance he waives his NMC if Dubas asks him real nice?
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No one will ever take that albatross contract. Enjoy watching JT anchor this team for years.

I think we'll all look back at that moment as when we started to rush our rebuild and ended up in this limbo, wasting the potential of our young stars.
 
Matthews GQ said:
Even though his play is clearly in utter decline, it would be nice if he at least played with some heart and effort. He's not even trying anymore and it shows glaringly. Been awful in 2022, not even up for debate.
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I would set the bar at: a) finish a hit on the forecheck. Doesn't have to be hard, just rub a guy out and make the puck retrieval a little messier b) just show some situationally appropriate emotion c) just make quick, simple and safe plays.
 
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I think now is the time to shift him to the wing and put Nylander in the middle.

Also tell him to play with some heart and soul given his declines in other areas of the game.
 
High IQ, great shot, very good all around player, mediocre to poor speed. Off nights like this make all of the haters come out. The truth is, he’s still a great player but definitely not worth 11 million. I’d say probably more like 7-8 million. I’d rather overpay stars then depth.
 
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