Confirmed with Link: Tavares to Toronto (7 years, $11M AAV)

[DavePoulin4PM]

KYLE DUBAS GM OF THE YEAR!!!!!

Yes.. thank god for Dubas. He is the reason JT grew up as a Leaf fan.

 

[GardinerTheForward]

 

[The Crypto Guy]

YAY!!! Congrats guys!!!!

You guys become my 2nd fav team in the early 2000s when the Rangers never made the playoffs so I always rooted for you...I can't tell you how excited I am for you guys in the upcoming season

 

[Paradoc]

Rielly on the phone right now on TSN!!!

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

I hope everyone is ready embrace our role as the bad guys in the NHL.

 

[Buds17]

Incredibly thrilled to have Tavares in the fold. Looking forward to something special happening during this tenure.

 

[NoName]

Heard on Sportsnet that San Jose offered Tavares $13 million per season. When you factor in California's more favorable tax rate, that is a lot of money Tavares left on the table in order to join the Leafs. Feels good that he actually wanted to go to Toronto enough to do that.

 

[BodaciousBeefBazooka]

Rielly on the phone right now on TSN!!!

Listening as well

 

[DavePoulin4PM]

This has Shanahan all over it, too. He must be some persuader because he always gets what he wants.

Well, 3 years ago he was on the phone begging Josh Gorges to wave his NTC to come here. Thank god “ the persuader” couldn’t persuade him.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

??? This group has accomplished nothing. The proof will be in the pudding and you can appreciate once/if they win anything of significance.

Teams who usually “win” in July don’t win in June.

Mmm sweet salty tears of Leafs haters.

 

[Macallan18]

I guess this lays to rest some arguments a while ago (started by Chelios??) that quality free agents won’t sign with the Leafs because of Babs?

 

[LeafSadist]

Matthews and Tavares as our top two centers. Good game, thanks for coming out everyone.

 

[TMLegend]

I'm getting a Tavares jersey. I've been debating for several years who I wanted to get for my first name/numbered jersey and I want this guy to be my first.

Instantly becomes my favorite player on the roster.

I almost pulled the trigger on a Bernier winter classic in 2014, but this just feels right.

 

[Leafsman]

Is Free Agency still going or did the world just stop?

 

[Scorched Earth]

Woke up to daughter crying at 1:45am in Hong Kong to this news!

 

[DarkKnight]

Why is it all signing bonus, get it first year?

 

[Jozay]

You gotta imagine Matthews gets 11 at the minimum.

They need to get Nylander and Marner on good deals.

 

[Superstar]

Won’t win anything with the group of dmen the Leafs have. It’s an exciting signing but really after losing Bozak/JVR and not upgrading the defense... this signing is smoke and mirrors.

Dubas is not done.

 

[Mitchy]

Feels absolutely amazing, man.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

This has Shanahan all over it, too. He must be some persuader because he always gets what he wants.

Except Stamkos

Truly an arrogant as Shanahan as well, of course. Shanahan, Dubas, and Mike Babcock.

 

[LeafsFan89]

Do the signing bonuses count towards the cap any different than the salary? Or is it just he gets more money up front at the beginning of the year?

 

[Gallagbi]

Why is it all signing bonus, get it first year?

Buyout proof and all upfront.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Holy shit that structure. Bettman told teams to lay off signing bonuses lmao. Dubas don't care.

 

[Leafsman]

Do the signing bonuses count towards the cap any different than the salary? Or is it just he gets more money up front at the beginning of the year?

lockout and buyout proof

 

[DarkKnight]

Lol O Dog texted Reilly the news...