Toronto Maple Leafs: It’s OK to Talk About John Tavares

The Toronto Maple Leafs have the best young team in the NHL.

After years of futility, terrible management, bad coaches, and making the wrong choice roughly 90% of the time, the Toronto Maple Leafs are set for a decade with a core of Matthews, Marner, Rielly, Dermott, and Nylander. To saying nothing of Kadri, Gardiner, Brown, Kapanen, Liljegren and Andersen.

The only way to describe such a roster is to call it an embarrassment of riches. It’s awesome. But what if you could add a sure-fire Hall of Famer in the prime of his career to the team? What if there was an available 27 year-old superstar, who was from the team’s hometown and who would be available for free (asset wise; obviously he’ll cost a ton in real dollars)?

Well if your hobby is watching hockey and cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs, then why wouldn’t you want this to happen?

Of course, the Leafs don’t really need Tavares, the risk vs reward (his salary vs the cap and the players you might have to disregard to make this happen) isn’t on their side, and Tavares seems almost certain to re-sign with the Islanders. At best, it’s an extreme long-shot that the Leafs sign Jonathan Tavares.

But so what?

Just Relax, Playa

I will never understand people. Watching hockey is a hobby, and hobbies are supposed to be fun. What could be more fun than fantasizing about one of the best players the city of Toronto ever produced coming home to help lead the Leafs to their first Stanley Cup in what seems like forever?

More from Editor In Leaf

Of course it’s unrealistic. But who cares?

I do not get why there is this subsection of realist fans who want to crap on anyone who watches hockey for the only reason it makes sense to watch hockey: it’s fun.

These are the same people who say “stop talking about trading for so and so,” and “we need a rule that no one can talk about _____,” or who chide other people for not having realistic expectations.

Realistic expectations are for planning the family budget. They have no place in the world of sports. There is nothing worse – in my opinion – than a measured, calm and realistic sports fan. The fact that people are embarrassed by and scornful of ‘hot takes’ is hilarious to me. These people need to quit watching sports and turn their attentions to the world of political intrigue and let the rest of us have our fun.

So what if Steven Stamkos didn’t end up signing with the Leafs?

So what if John Tavares doesn’t either. He might. And if it makes it fun for you to imagine your favorite player pulling on a blue sweater, I say go for it.

Realism is for James Joyce. I prefer Stephen King.

Next: Trade Deadline Buyers

If you don’t want Tavares on the Toronto Maple Leafs that’s cool too. Just don’t be one of those people who tell people who are just having fun to “stop it.” The more unrealistic, the more improbable, the more fun, the better.