Who will John Tavares play for next?

JT91's next team

  • Total voters
    71
  • Poll closed .
Welp, looks like ol’ Johnny T isn’t a money-grubbing turd and sees the Isles are just a few clicks away from a perennial dumpster fire similar to what Buffalo has been.
 
Congrats to all leafs fans especially those here on HI. Very happy for you. Condolences to the isles and their fans. Especially those here on HI. Feeling for you guys today.
 
Thrilled to have him but real really sorry for Long Island fans.

Instead of getting angry at JT for leaving that should be directed to Garth Snow and company. Leaf nation sends out a HUGE thank you to Garth
 
bto3105 said:
Thrilled to have him but real really sorry for Long Island fans.

Instead of getting angry at JT for leaving that should be directed to Garth Snow and company. Leaf nation sends out a HUGE thank you to Garth
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Truth. The front office did themselves no favors here and progressively let it get worse with each subsequent year. Then they tried a fire drill with Lamraillo and Trotz coming in but Tavares knew they couldn’t save this ship which is already halfway under water.

I think he will be the next captain of the Leafs and that as I said, he won’t outwardly admit it, inwardly it was a factor going to TO. It was the only place besides the Isles out of his 6 teams where he could be captain.

Congrats to Leafs fans and JT91 on going home.
 
TheGriceBoys said:
Welp, looks like ol’ Johnny T isn’t a money-grubbing turd and sees the Isles are just a few clicks away from a perennial dumpster fire similar to what Buffalo has been.
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That's not really fair. The Buffalo dumpster fire is much larger - it burned through the Great Lakes and extended into Toronto for a few years. On the opening faceoff of the Sabres' season I wholly expect Rasmus Dahlin to collide with Jack Eichel and both exit with season-ending concussions.

Ever since Daniel Briere covered the dumpster in kerosene and Chris Drury lit a cigarette, handed it to Thomas Vanek and said "here, throw this out for me.", the Sabres have been comically bad and I've loved watching it.
 
pathshot said:
That's not really fair. The Buffalo dumpster fire is much larger - it burned through the Great Lakes and extended into Toronto for a few years. On the opening faceoff of the Sabres' season I wholly expect Rasmus Dahlin to collide with Jack Eichel and both exit with season-ending concussions.

Ever since Daniel Briere covered the dumpster in kerosene and Chris Drury lit a cigarette, handed it to Thomas Vanek and said "here, throw this out for me.", the Sabres have been comically bad and I've loved watching it.
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That was entertaining, ahaha.

Honestly it wasn’t that hard to see Toronto was the choice:

It’s home, they had excellent cap room, they have an extremely talented young core, they have a captain vacancy and, last but not least, Pat Brisson has Auston Matthews as a client as well. Lots of signs.

Plus Tavares got to do something super cool and make a huge splash in the media, not often that happens. I remember when Stamkos re-upped, it was like a MASSIVE balloon deflating for everyone wanting some “action”. Well, hockey and Leafs fans finally got their excitement!
 
I need to go out and get a Tavares Leafs jersey now. Signing with the Leafs is good for the league, fans and for John at this point in his career. The Islander ownership and management had many years to build a good team around him but never had the ability or made that effort. They signed and got him at a bargain basement contract and never put the pieces in place. Instead they relied on him to continue to perform. During that time he made many players around him better and several went on to get bigger contracts with other teams. He made the right decision as the Leafs have a good young core and many other talented players in their farm system. It is a great day in Leafs land IMO.
 
After this signing, I'm thinking the odd man out long term is Willy Nylander. However, Marleaus 6 mil comes off the books soon....
 
piper1 said:
The real question is how will they fit an elite D-man into their budget.
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They won't be able to, or very difficult in the next couple of years. Unless they move Marner or Nylander for one. It will be very hard to sign an elite UFA dman with Matthews and Marner's contract coming up next season, unless they take a discount. Or Zaitsev is moved and Gardiner is not resigned, which leaves #3-6 dmen as mostly rookies or players in ELC.

2 years from now is the best opportunity, when Marleau's and Martin's contracts expires, and there's also more room in the cap. But there's a lot of variables that happen before then. What amount is Nylander asking for? Hainsey will be done after this season, but Gardiner, Marner and Matthews need to be re-signed too.
 
tiger tiger said:
They won't be able to, or very difficult in the next couple of years. Unless they move Marner or Nylander for one. It will be very hard to sign an elite UFA dman with Matthews and Marner's contract coming up next season, unless they take a discount. Or Zaitsev is moved and Gardiner is not resigned, which leaves #3-6 dmen as mostly rookies or players in ELC.

2 years from now is the best opportunity, when Marleau's and Martin's contracts expires, and there's also more room in the cap. But there's a lot of variables that happen before then. What amount is Nylander asking for? Hainsey will be done after this season, but Gardiner, Marner and Matthews need to be re-signed too.
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I have a gut feeling that Nylander will be moved at some point, to put towards a steady defenseman. They have a ton of talent on the Marlies that can probably play on the big club this year. They've got some decent defenseman down there that could make the jump this year. Dermott is a lock to make the team this year, and they have Liljegren who could be ready. They also have Borgman, and Rosen, plus a few others that can play on defense. I doubt they sign many more players right now, especially if the Marlies kids play well out of camp. Would love to see them get an NHL ready defenseman that can clear traffic, block shots, and throw some weight around in their own end. Not sure who is available still on the FA market, but they have some blue chippers in the AHL they can use to get help on the point, if they need to.
 

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