On John Tavares and the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Maple Leafs Hot Stove: Craig Button was on TSN radio and said that if John Tavares hits the open market, the Toronto Maple Leafs should sign him to a one-year deal.
“I think it’s a very good possibility. Here’s why:
There is a lot of talk about windows of opportunity for teams based on where they’re at. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, with their good young players on entry-level contracts, you think, “What a great opportunity.”
Why does John Tavares fit with the Toronto Maple Leafs? I’m proposing a one-year deal for John Tavares while Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are still on ELCs. They can clearly fit him in. He’s an elite number-one center. When you consider Mike Babcock’s real like for duos, how about this: Matthews-Nylander, Tavares-Marner, Kadri-Brown. That is a pretty good 1-2-3 when you consider duos. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, I think that John Tavares could fit into their situation on a one-year deal.”
Button adds that Marian Hossa did something similar back in 2008 when he signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings. Mike Babcock coached that team.
“Toronto Maple Leafs may dream about John Tavares. I don’t think it’s so much of a dream. In fact, I think it’s something that has real legs and could be real possible. If John Tavares has to look at this from the perspective of who has the better chance of winning in the near future, I think it’s clearly the Toronto Maple Leafs.”
Mike Kelly: “Makes no sense from Leafs cap perspective and recent history shows star players from TO don’t want to play there in their prime.”
Michael Augello: “Craig Button’s Tavares theory is interesting. #Leafs mgmt thinks outside the box & might be willing to offer a 1 yr max $$ deal but all the risk to a deal like that would be on the Tavares side. Potential injury & age could be factors for getting a long-term deal.”