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Toronto Maple Leafs 2018-19 Player Grades

By James Tanner

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 07: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs reacts to the crowd after the Leafs scored against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on October 7, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 07: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs reacts to the crowd after the Leafs scored against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on October 7, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 23: Phillip Danault #24 of the Montreal Canadiens keeps a close check on John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 23, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 6-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 23: Phillip Danault #24 of the Montreal Canadiens keeps a close check on John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 23, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 6-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

John Tavares by James Tanner

John Tavares signed the biggest and most expensive free-agent contract in NHL history to come and play for the Toronto Maple Leafs – his home town team.

Expectations could not have been higher, and Tavares met every single one of them.  Not sure what he was thinking here, but that’s the only bad thing you can say about him.

The fact is, with everyone in the NHL not from Toronto cheering against him, Tavares had the best season of his career. He led the NHL in 5v5 goals per 60 minutes.  He led the NHL in 5v5 goals.

Only the fact that he isn’t the #1 PP option prevented him from leading the league in total goals and getting the Rocket Richard Trophy.

Tavares finished the season with an incredible 47 goals and 88 points.  Probably he’s over 100 if his left winger isn’t Zach Hyman, and if his coach gives him the amount of ice time he deserves.

A +. . C. Toronto Maple Leafs. JOHN TAVARES

Tavares was one of the highest scoring players in the NHL on a points/per/minute basis, and he essentially did everything he was asked to and more.

Now if only the coach would use him for more than one minute at a time on the PP and give him some PK time, he could be even better.  Like Matthews, any problems you see in Tavares’ game can be traced directly back to the coach.

He gets an A+, obviously.

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