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Toronto Maple Leafs: Why They Don’t Need Tavares

By Nicholas Lucciantonio

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 22: New York Islanders Center John Tavares (91) is chased by Toronto Maple Leafs Left Wing Patrick Marleau (12) during the regular season NHL game between the New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs on February 22, 2018 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 22: New York Islanders Center John Tavares (91) is chased by Toronto Maple Leafs Left Wing Patrick Marleau (12) during the regular season NHL game between the New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs on February 22, 2018 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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John Tavares is one of those players that doesn’t become available often. But when they do, the Toronto Maple Leafs should be interested.

Tavares scored over a point-per-game in four seasons, including this past season, scoring 84 points in 82 games. He can lead by example. He can make players around him play better. And, he is even from the GTA.

But, he is not worth it for this team.

If the Islanders can’t come to terms with him, he could be available this summer. There will be more good than bad in signing Tavares.

Here’s why.

Huge Contract

John Tavares is a fantastic hockey player. He does all the right things and is a coach’s dream to have on your team.

But, a player is going to have to get paid for his performance, isn’t he?

Players like Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane have brought three Stanley Cups to Chicago in a six-year span. They were rewarded enormously, with matching eight-year $10.5 million contract extensions. That contract was signed at the end of the 2013/14 season and was going into effect for the 2015-16 season.

2015 was the last year they had success, winning the Stanley Cup for likely the last time together. Those contracts tore apart the team, leaving no room to bring in or keep good players who could provide secondary scoring. Players such as Artemi Panarin, Richard Panik, Marcus Kruger, and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Each of whom was all traded for salary reasons.

A team like Toronto can’t afford a huge contract like that. Especially since Tavares will likely get a bit more. When you have three young superstars that you have to sign very soon, it isn’t a good idea.

Their contracts won’t be cheap, so signing Tavares is out of the question.

Defence is what is needed

If there is going to be anything pursued by the Leafs, it has to be defence.

Getting a great centre is fantastic. But, if you already have one of the best offences in the league, why add onto it when you need defence? The Leafs have had defensive troubles for a little while now, and we’ve seen some slight improvements the past season or so. If you’re going to acquire or sign anyone, it needs to be someone to help Freddy and Rielly and prevent us from allowing so many shots.

This season Andersen faced 2211 shots and saved 2029 of them. Signing, or even trading for, a defenceman is a better idea than signing Tavares. It won’t hurt your salary cap even close to as much and will improve the team where it needs to.

A player like Tavares isn’t available often. And, even though he is a great asset to have, he isn’t worth it for this young team. The salary cap will crush the Leafs if he is signed and some of that money should be used to get defensive improvements, not offence.

Next: Kyle Dubas and Hidden Talent

Thanks for reading!

stats from hockey-reference.com and NHL.com

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