If you think these years have been the "Tavares era", when would you expect the Matthews era to begin? I do understand your frustration, I feel it as well. But, nobody after AM's 2nd year felt anything other than this is 'our guy'. JT was always going to be the second chair. An overpaid 2nd chair, as was expected as the contract aged, but a 2nd chair nonetheless.
I'm not trying to build Tavares up to being something he isn't, but our expectations were built on the young players leading us to the Cup. JT's role was to solidify with expected solid first line numbers, but not elite numbers, that was for Matthews, Marner and Nylander. For the most part, I think JT held up his end of the bargain, for as long as we rightfully should have expected him to be able to do so. That the others have underperformed relative to our expectations, and their paychecks is what we've been stuck with.
He ain't the player he once was, but I'll plant my flag here in saying JT gave/gives a more honest effort on a night to night basis than any of the three other 'stars'. I'd resign him after next year if the number was right, and he was properly positioned: 2nd line LW/3C. Heck, some here are talking Bert at 5, Domi at 4, and JT outscored both by around 20 points, and on a P/60 basis, and while following Domi at ESP/G he did outpace Bert with the same measure. He was 4th amongst F in hits trailing Reaves, Gregor and Knies, and he's not bad at faceoffs.
Of course, JT could collapse next year, and then all bets are off. But, if he's able to produce at a respectable rate/expectations, and he's willing to give a little discount 'for the team', heck ya I'd sign him to a 3x3. JT is, to me, a 'professional'. He may not be the best, he may not inspire, he may be overpaid, he may be in decline, but I know he know's the game and I know he's going to give it his best. I can spend 3.4% of the cap on that.
