John Tavares has taken that next step.

[NK94]

People forget when Komarov was the ASG representative and when Parenteau led the team in points and it shows with threads like this.

There’s bigger concerns than Tavares, it’s just a shame that a large chunk of the fanbase relies on Cox and Simmons for their “qualified” analysis.

 

[ottomaddox]

People forget when Komarov was the ASG representative and when Parenteau led the team in points and it shows with threads like this.

There’s bigger concerns than Tavares, it’s just a shame that a large chunk of the fanbase relies on Cox and Simmons for their “qualified” analysis.

I would say it's the complete opposite.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Tavares set his own benchmark here in 2018-19 when he scored 48 goals and almost 90 points. Whatever we’re getting today isn’t that level of player.

Then he lost Marner. Something else there also was the constant bickering of who made who better between Marner and Tavares. I’ve been watching Tavares closely this year and he’s had one big pile of quality chances not go in. From my perspective thats why his goals are down.
I would like to see Keefe do just one more tweek on JT’s line right now with Gally there now. Move Hyman to that line full time for a good 6 games. Then i would think that line would grind down low and in the paint area with anyone. He should try it.
Willy can move to the Hyman’s spot 3 rd line and create some QoC
advantages. Possibly even start playing Nylander at center there. It might be a nice chemistry move.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Sucks to say, as it is pretty much unacceptable given what Tavares alone is supposed to be able to do...but if you want that line to produce regularly right now I think you need to take Hyman and basically staple him there. Hyman is the only player who can force that line to be better on a regular basis than they've been.

Throw Galchenyuk up on the top line for a game or two to see if there is any connection whatsoever that can be made with Marner/Matthews. And move Simmonds for now up with Engvall and Mik to maintain that checking line.

4th line I have all the trust in the world for Spezza right now.

Thoughts? Sucks to say but staple Hyman to that line for now in my opinion.

Gally/Tavares/ Hyman line works for me for a look. I think it would be a hard line to play against.

 

[Stephen]

Then he lost Marner. Something else there also was the constant bickering of who made who better between Marner and Tavares. I’ve been watching Tavares closely this year and he’s had one big pile of quality chances not go in. From my perspective thats why his goals are down.
I would like to see Keefe do just one more tweek on JT’s line right now with Gally there now. Move Hyman to that line full time for a good 6 games. Then i would think that line would grind down low and in the paint area with anyone. He should try it.
Willy can move to the Hyman’s spot 3 rd line and create some QoC
advantages. Possibly even start playing Nylander at center there. It might be a nice chemistry move.

I would just do Marner and Tavares again and Matthews Nylander. Matthews is hurt but Marner hasn’t been very fresh at all lately.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Anyway, complaining about Tavares is pretty funny. Not a leg to stand on. He’s doing so much stats gazing misses.

 

[Cappuccino]

Short memory eh buddy?

we know exactly how much Kadri helped Toronto in the playoffs. we watched it more than once. putting yourself ahead of the team is the last thing a player should be doing.

And how is asking for 11M per year and not living up to it, helping the team?

 

[Dekes For Days]

Difference is reputation and paycheque.

No, the difference is more than that.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Anyway, complaining about Tavares is pretty funny. Not a leg to stand on. He’s doing so much stats gazing misses.

Actually, statistics are capturing a lot of the significant impact he's having. The problem is that many ignore everything except raw points.

If he doesn’t stand out like the young superstars then he shouldn’t get paid like them.

Tavares is on a UFA contract... He's not supposed to be as good as Matthews/Marner.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Did another not think that Tavares' foot speed would catch up to him as he ages? IMO it was pretty evident to me that the back end of his contract could be bad.

Thing is, even though the offense isn't quite there, it's still decent enough and he's generating chances. His line is also strong defensively. Fine as a second line option.

He's also never been a flashy player which works against him when the production isn't there.

 

[Swervin81]

He was putting up 70-80 points a season for NYI for $5.5M per season.

Also, scoring has gone way up league-wide the last few years. Putting up 70-80 points 6-7 years ago isn't the same as putting those numbers up nowadays.

That said, JT has started to pick it up as of late. Interestingly, his road splits are right around PPG - it's his home splits that are suffering. That would probably lend some credence to the idea that juggling 2 kids at home is taking its toll.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

And how is asking for 11M per year and not living up to it, helping the team?

I believe they offered him that $11,000,000 to come play for them.He has shown up all of the games the first year and all the games this year. Upon checking i see that for some reason he didn’t show up for all of his games last year. You might be on to something.

 

[Koolboss]

Signing JT was a pretty bad move and been saying that since day one. Nothing against JT he is a great player but not what we needed and for that price OUCH

 

[ottomaddox]

I believe they offered him that $11,000,000 to come play for them.He has shown up all of the games the first year and all the games this year. Upon checking i see that for some reason he didn’t show up for all of his games last year. You might be on to something.

If Tavares doesn't show up for work Friday or Monday it's a sign of alcoholism.



Joking. Don't take that literally.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

If Tavares doesn't show up for work Friday or Monday it's a sign of alcoholism.



Joking. Don't take that literally.

Either that or our work week needs to be reduced

 

[ToneDog]

Signing JT was a pretty bad move and been saying that since day one. Nothing against JT he is a great player but not what we needed and for that price OUCH

Having 2 dominant Cs is the recipe to winning Stanley Cups. The problem is that JT is not playing like a dominant C. When JT was signed, the big 3 were projected to be making roughly 22-26m, and not half the cap along with JT. The difference is a real good player or two, especially with COVID.

If JT does not return to his best and/or we do not win soon, one will have to go.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Tavares could easily finish a point per game (era-adjusted)
Lol oh f***
He’s so good in many areas. I don’t see how there are complaints about him.

 

[ottomaddox]

Having 2 dominant Cs is the recipe to winning Stanley Cups. The problem is that JT is not playing like a dominant C. When JT was signed, the big 3 were projected to be making roughly 22-26m, and not half the cap along with JT. The difference is a real good player or two, especially with COVID.

If JT does not return to his best and/or we do not win soon, one will have to go.

I don't disagree, but there are examples of cup winners that have very good centers. St. Louis comes to mind. If TOR's top 2 are not dominant at least have the depth there. Perhaps a better 3rd line C?

 

[ottomaddox]

I don't disagree, but there are examples of cup winners that have very good centers. St. Louis comes to mind. If TOR's top 2 are not dominant at least have the depth there. Perhaps a better 3rd line C?

(Not Nylander)

 

[NK94]

Signing JT was a pretty bad move and been saying that since day one. Nothing against JT he is a great player but not what we needed and for that price OUCH

The best free agent defenceman available that summer after Carlson re-signed in Washington... was Mike Green.

When you have the chance to sign a franchise centre, you don't pass it up. Tavares hasn't stopped Dubas from adding Brodie, Muzzin, Holl, or Bogosian amongst other names either.

 

[Dekes For Days]

The best free agent defenceman available that summer after Carlson re-signed in Washington... was Mike Green.

And people are quick to forget that center was a huge need. Our organizational depth at center was Matthews, Kadri, and... Gauthier.

 

[NK94]

And people are quick to forget that center was a huge need. Our organizational depth at center was Matthews, Kadri, and... Gauthier.

We also had to watch a finished Plekanec match up against the Bergeron line and Nylander play centre because Kadri got suspended for the first time. Not ideal by any means.

 

[Tak7]

Jimmy Vesey had 1 more even strength goal than Tavares before he was waived.

Jason Spezza has 3 more even strengths goals than Tavares, despite considerably less ice time (and about $10.3 million less cap hit).

The amount of excuses fans make for certain players, while absolutely annihilating others, never makes sense to me.

It's OK to admit that you're a fan of Tavares, like I am, while also admitting that he's been well below standards this season - because he has been.

 

[Rehabguy]

He rarely turns it over, it's not a regular occurrence.
Tavares is not a problem on the team right now. Is he worth 11 million? No. But, at the time, it was the correct moving signing Tavares. San Jose was offering him 13 million.

Would I have Kadri over him? Maybe, if you consider the cap hits.
We never should have traded Kadri.

Matthews - Tavares - Kadri, we'd be unstoppable at C.

That was Dubas' worst mistake, trading Kadri for nothing.
Kadri had 9 goals, 9 assists in 9 games last playoffs.
Imagine if we had him on our 3rd line instead of Kerfoot.

Saw this, but please explain this to me. How does one team's ridiculous foolish offer justify your lesser but still foolish offer? If San Jose offered 10 million for Leo Komarov would you offer him 8 mil per year thinking it was the right move at the time? I think a smart GM would assess his team's needs and go no higher than what he was able to intelligently afford. I don't think Dubas did that and got caught up in all the hype. Just my 2 cents but I was just interested to see how JT was doing on the Leafs and this caught my eye.