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

[ThewThew]

Not a good contract. Komarov is all but done being an effective NHL player. Don't get me wrong, I think he had some solid years with the Leafs but his time is up.

I remember his first year with the leafs, he was a beast!

 

[ChiTownLeafer]

Why don't they give Tavares the C now and in 7 years when he will take a back seat to Matthews (or possibly sooner), transition the captaincy to Matthews

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Hyman's playing with Matthews. Just accept and embrace it already.

actually apparently Babcock wants to give Hyman to Tavares now

 

[DarkKnight]

I just dont think that he should be captain for the Leafs just because he was C for the Isles. However, they should really consider doing this if possible

If you listen to him speak then you see he has Captain written all over him, completely separate from some entitlement based on his last gig. He checks every single box, fact he's done it before just another ingredient.

 

[Coastal Kev]

Lifelong Pens fan going back 3 decades plus here to say Congrats. Leafs are one of the funnest teams to watch in the league and your fanbase deserves to put some new banners up in the rafters. When the Pens aren't playing next year, I'll be watching!

 

[6ix]

Interesting how much Tavares spoke on the positive impact Babs had on his decision. He said he was "tremendous" during the presentation and he felt comfortable with their relationship. Also said a Babcock got him "excited" about his role. I think people focus on the x and o's a bit too much with Babs, you have to take it in totality, and once again he has proved he can motivate and inspire people....never discount that, for my money as an important a role as any for a head coach.

I do have my issues with Babs, but this is where having a coach with pedigree and coaching team Canada paid off. People kind of dismiss being Team Canada’s coach and saying anyone can coach that team, but Babcock coaching TC and picking Tavares, that’s an already established relationship. The mutual respect and familiarity was already there, another big reason why the chips fell our way in the Tavares sweepstakes.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I did call Babcock overrated earlier, but he does have the power to inspire people.

 

[HeroNtF]

Sooooooo, we're not planning the parade? Cause I kind of am. I got my hopes up, like waaaaay up!

Onwards and upwards, and strike while the irons hot. it was more so to salt the wounds.. you know, since Tavares is shit now we have to find the next free agent centre who isn't..

 

[Magic16Mitch]

Now lets give:
Matthews Eichel money
Marner Pastrnak money
Nylander Ehlers money

and call it a core for 7 years

Hopefully Auston can take less than JT considering it might be JTs last big contract. But most stats show Matthews overall is better than Tavares. Need to keep Auston happy.

 

[Due North]

It was pretty bad.

It all started when Montreal booed the American national anthem as a way to voice their displeasure to GWB and his decision to send troops to Iraq. But when the Leafs/Isles series started, their fans booed the everliving **** out of our anthem as a way to get "back at us"...even though Toronto had nothing to do with this. Even poor Jamie Lynn Siglar (Meadow Soprano) sang both anthems looked extremely uncomfortable while performing.

Circle back to Gm 3 in Toronto, and everyone at the ACC cheered the US anthem as a sign of respect and to show no hard feelings. But with that, coupled with the extreme amount of physicality and violence in this series, Isles fans couldn't let things go; they ended up burning not only Leaf jerseys, but also the Canadian flag in the Nassau Coliseum parking lot.

I remember the pictures in the Toronto Star vividly. Really took me awhile to forgive that fanbase...and this is why when Isles fan get on their soapbox to complain about us Leaf fans, that they really need to shut their ****ing mouths as they have nothing on us compared to what they've done!

I remember the booing but forgot all the details. The Leafs have done nothing wrong. Other teams
were involved. Id like to see if a top ten ball player in baseball from New York signed with the Yankees
because that was his life long dream. They wouldn't care or give a rats behind. Who cares anyway.
The Yankees, Red Sox pay big money to pry players away all the time. They don't care so why should we.

 

[DarkKnight]

I do have my issues with Babs, but this is where having a coach with pedigree and coaching team Canada paid off. People kind of dismiss being Team Canada’s coach and saying anyone can coach that team, but Babcock coaching TC and picking Tavares, that’s an already established relationship. The mutual respect and familiarity was already there, another big reason why the chips fell our way in the Tavares sweepstakes.

That's really laughable, because some of the best minds in the game pick the head coach for Canada, it isn't just lottery balls. Anyways, people have picked apart every single coach we've ever had, so it will continue, but for the most part it's just human nature rather than insightful. Mike Babcock is a premier coach in this league, ask John Tavares or ask some guy on here who's been mediocre at everything in their lives. Lucky to have him, and if it's Tavares, Marner, Hyman next year, have fun, the team defending them.

 

[SnizzMitch]

Interesting

 

[Mr Knies Guy]

Main boards seem to think AM gets more than JT, can’t see any world where that happens

 

[ThewThew]

Was going with Nick Fury but Thanos is good

Someone posted a picture of Babcock’s face over thanos and put Tavares, matthews, marner, and Nylanders face over the stones on the gauntlet

 

[Magic16Mitch]

If you listen to him speak then you see he has Captain written all over him, completely separate from some entitlement based on his last gig. He checks every single box, fact he's done it before just another ingredient.

Yes but Matthews has acted perfectly since he arrived and taken us to playoffs every year

 

[Jarqui]

I'd followed Tavares through junior, international play and with the Islanders on the ice. I had not heard him interviewed much. Very serious, emotional but controlled. A very solid, thoughtful, intelligent person. He's going to grab an oar and work hard to help his team. I'm impressed.

 

[Leafsdude7]

actually apparently Babcock wants to give Hyman to Tavares now

Probably just this early July heat getting in his head. When it's 18 degrees and gusting to 45 in October, I'm sure it'll be Hyman and Matthews.

 

[DarkKnight]

I did call Babcock overrated earlier, but he does have the power to inspire people.

I love the way people say that as an afterthought, when really a coach is a jockey who is supposed to push their thoroughbreds, that's their KEY job. Especially the HEAD coach.

 

[ThewThew]

No wonder Matthews was ecstatic

LOL

 

[ThewThew]

Anyone have a replay of the press conference?

It’s on YouTube

 

[DarkKnight]

Yes but Matthews has acted perfectly since he arrived and taken us to playoffs every year

Agree, Matthews could be C too, I'm just saying Tavares is a great leader. See what happens, doesn't sound like the team is any hurry, Dubas even alluded to no decision this year.

 

[leafsforlife]

Still in disbelief we got him hours later..

 

[Magic16Mitch]

Main boards seem to think AM gets more than JT, can’t see any world where that happens

Well he probably is better than JT right now. I think they'll get the same though.

 

[Gallagbi]

Interesting

What's that leave?
AJ - Kadri - Brown
Lenovo - XXXX - Kap
Grundstrom

Am I missing anyone ?

 

[JEI]

Just an amazing signing. The best acquisition I've seen in my lifetime I think.