Toronto Maple Leafs Signed John Tavares – He’s Living Up to the Hype

On July 1st, 2018, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed free agent  John Tavares.

Believe it or not, this wasn’t the first time the Toronto Maple Leafs tried to acquire John Tavares.

Over the years there have been what feels like thousands of big name free agents who Toronto Maple Leafs fans, have hoped and dreamed would sign with their favorite team and lead them to a championship. I’ll give just a small list of names:

Brad Richards, Bobby Ryan, Ilya Kovalchuk the list goes on.

Here’s how it usually turned out:

Mike Komisarek, Colton Orr, David Clarkson, Colby Armstrong.

I can understand why we did this to ourselves, free agents don’t cost any assets aside from money. It’s quick and easy, you could even theoretically sign one and package him in a trade for someone better (although I’d never recommend that).

When I heard that the Leafs were among the 5 teams Tavares would speak to, I was optimistic they would able to sign him, but when they did, boy was I happy as much as I was in shock.

Weren’t we all.

John Tavares and the Toronto Maple Leafs

We are now halfway through his first season as a Maple Leaf and we can take a look at what he has accomplished so far.

His point totals so far are as follows:

27 goals and 20 assists for 47 points. 20 of Tavares’ goals are at 5v5, which leads the NHL. He is tied with McDavid and Crosby with 35 5v5 points, which is third in the NHL and only two off the pace set by Nikita Kucherov.

Tavares has a very solid 52% possession rating and the Leafs have scored over 60 percent of the total goals scored when Tavares is on the ice.

He is on pace for 94 points this season. His career high came in 2014-15 with a total of 86 points.

Now much of his increased points can be attributed to Marner but he has been able to get these kind of numbers in the past with some pretty lackluster wingers. I believe he and Marner’s production is only going to rise as we enter this second half.

One thing I have loved about John Tavares game is  the abundance of ways in which he has scored goals. He’s had tip-ins, tap ins, goals where he outworked all the opposition, he’s done it all. He works as hard as Hyman, with the finish of Matthews, and the resolve of Mitch Marner. He never gives up.

This season I have rarely, if ever, felt out of a game, and when the Leafs were down by three goals in the 3rd, I almost expect a goal every time Tavares and Marner hit the ice.

Personally, I never thought for a second that he wouldn’t live up to his name, but the degree to which he’s done exactly as expected and perhaps more, is nothing short of spectacular.

It’s the Toronto Maple Leafs, things aren’t supposed to go this way.

But they are.

Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Morgan Rielly and Frederik Andersen. These players play for our team! I’m still in disbelief!

I for one can’t wait to watch John Tavares finally get to lift the Stanley Cup for his favorite team! I just hope it’s more than once!

stats from naturalstattrick.com