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

[biotk]

Taveres is significantly better than JVR, Bozak and Komarov combined, and 4 million a year cheaper. Thank goodness Shanahan dropped Lou for Dubas.

 

[Contenderorpretender]

I'm really Impressed with how eloquent JT is. Mature. Will be a leader if he is captain or not. This is so exciting.

 

[MapleLeafs9]

awww, he's tearing up.

Yeah, can’t believe how hard Islanders fans trashed him today. Tavares poured his heart out for that team for 9 years, management was too incompetent to surround him with support

 

[ToneDog]

i have to give you credit, Tone.
you were on this for a whole year, and you were v. detailed how this makes the most sense.
you must be so happy now lol

Yeah I have been on the Tavares train for a long time and I think our fans deserve this and he deserves to be a Leaf. I just can't wait to see these kids lifting that Cup and celebrating the same way the Caps did.

 

[DarkKnight]

Lou was the same here. His plan for the “build phase” was turning to older vets in free agency (Martin, Hainsey, McBackup, Marleau, Moore, ect). Some of them worked out, others didn’t.

But that’s not enough to get to the next level

I’m not going to criticize what Lou did here, but am prepared to acknowledge perhaps we cut bait at the right time now. Maybe Shanny noticed Lou forgetting things lol.

 

[Mr Knies Guy]

The contract is even worst then

It is an awful contract and thankfully Lou is gone otherwise that would have been the Leafs giving him that

 

[francis246]

I didn't even think about it any further. I just assumed he would be the captain. The only other guy I could see getting the C over him would have been Matthews but even that sounds 'odd'. I think Tavares is an obvious choice for captaincy. He's either the best or at worst second best player in the team and he's already a proven veteran who has been a leader of his team for years.

I would think most fans want to see Tavares as the captain, no?

yes, I don't see Matthews as the captain. Even before Tavares, I was leaning towards marner more as the captain. But as mentioned before it doesn't really matter who is the captain as long as we win

 

[Plural]

Yeah, can’t believe how hard Islanders fans trashed him today. Tavares poured his heart out for that team for 9 years, management was too incompetent to surround him with support

I'd give Isles fans a break. They just lost the face of their franchise and a possible Hall of Fame level talent. I'd be pissed too. I know it's not classy to trash on your best player for leaving but lashing out as a fan is understandable.

 

[The Masters]

presser over

john tavares is a humble guy. And a leader.

He will be the captain here.

 

[DarkKnight]

Its clearly evident that none of the other teams were relevant it was either nyi or us.

Which is why some of us were so optimistic yesterday when it became likely he wouldn’t sign. Why leave the Isles and bypass the chance to play here to go to SJ and play with aging veterans? Boston was laughable, Dallas hilarious and TB not doable.

 

[LeafsFan89]

Didn’t think so, overreacting by Leafs nation once again. This signing will never live up to the Jason Blake signing

Or Jeff Finger.

 

[SnizzMitch]

f*** YEAH HE’S COMIN’ HOME BABY

 

[Pi]

The Tavares Maple Leafs. I’ll never forget this Canada Day.

 

[The Masters]

myrtle knew

 

[MJ65]

 

[TMLeafer]

It actually happened folks.

 

[Trapper]

sad but what are the chances marleau goes to robidas island in 2 years to make cap room?

I want to see Marleau get a Cup just as bad as the Leafs. He’s been an awesome pro for so many years, he deserves to be handed the Cup 2nd after the Captain.

 

[Contenderorpretender]

I do wonder if over the next few tears we will potentially see some player discounts. People want ting to be a part of this team. Because on paper it's pretty special.

 

[therealkoho]

the idea of Marleau and Marner being his wingman is intoxicating

 

[diceman934]

myrtle knew

He dam well knew he back peddle a little to protect Dubas.

 

[Hockeyholic]

Tears in his eyes when he talks about the Isles. You can tell it really has hit him.

 

[KobeBean143]

Wonder if he’s throwing the first pitch out tomorrow or do the jays already have someone scheduled for the holiday? Want to hear the crowd go nuts lol

 

[thewave]

To be honest I always felt like we dodged a bullet with Stamkos, wrong guy, wrong time, wrong money.

Would have been fine. We hit the PO the next season and he got injured and his team missed. They came back strong the next year but failed with a super team to make good on a cup run. Now with cap and everything the clocks ticking faster and faster. Truth be told, Stamkos was too chicken to make the decision and part of that was because his Lady is from TB.

JT eluded to that in the presser if you listened closely.

 

[Revolt]

That was a great presser from all three of them.

 

[weems]

I know Dubas hasnt proven a single thing with NHL onice product but hes seriously impressive in the way he speaks and his vision.