New York Islanders center John Tavares did the fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs a favor, by sending a clear signal that his future intentions likely do not include returning to the GTA when he becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2017-18 season.
“I would not count on that. I think I’ve always showed my commitment, my appreciation, and my desire to play on Long Island. I would love for that to continue for the long haul.” Tavares said to Sportsnet’s Andrew Walker earlier this week. “I think you look at some of the greatest players in the game have been able to spend their entire careers somewhere, and I hope I’m in that same position.”
The Mississauga native is one of the NHL’s top centers, but is one of the best values in the league with two years remaining on a six-year, $33 Million contract($5.5 Million AAV) signed after his entry-level deal in 2012.
It is likely that the 25-year-old will be looking for a maximum eight year deal in the same $9+ Million stratosphere as Jonathan Toews, Alex Ovechkin, Patrick Kane, Jamie Benn and Evgeni Malkin.
Islanders owner Jonathan Ledecky stated in a Q & A with season ticket holders earlier this month that Tavares will not reach free agency, which means the club will open up their checkbook to re-sign their franchise cornerstone.
“Obviously being from Toronto, people are going to make those connections and it is what it is. It’s nothing I can control.” Tavares said. “I just want to go out there and be the best player, best person I can be for the Islanders day in and day out. I’m just going to focus on tomorrow and the upcoming season.”
The inability to draw Steven Stamkos away from Tampa Bay as an unrestricted free agent was disappointing to Leafs Nation, but he was just the latest in a long line of big name players with the promise of being the savior who would return the franchise to glory.
Doug Gilmour, Mats Sundin and Phil Kessel could not achieve that Herculean task without better players surrounding them and the club for one reason or another could not acquire Wayne Gretzky in the later stages of his career, Eric Lindros or Stamkos.
With the chances now being slim to none that Tavares reaches free agency in July 2018, the Maple Leafs have to concentrate on the slow and methodical path of rebuilding the club internally with prospects William Nylander, Mitch Marner and 2016 first overall pick Auston Matthews.
Avenues other than the draft will be necessary to improve the club over the next couple seasons, but the hope that impact players will come to Toronto through free agency is dead and buried.
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There has been no further news regarding goalie Jhonas Enroth after Swedish outlet Expressen reported earlier this week that the netminder was close to an agreement with the Leafs.
Enroth was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2006 and played parts of six seasons with the Atlantic Division rival. The 28-year-old has also played with Dallas and Los Angeles.
It is possible that an announcement of a signing will be forthcoming, but there has long been a belief about Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello that if a rumor gets out about an impending trade or signing, that he will abandon that maneuver and go in a different direction.
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