John Tavares a Leaf in 2018?

[herman]

Isn't McDavid from Newmarket? Cause I feel like we're already pushing it with Markham.

There's an exemption allowed for players who grew up with Leafs posters in their room.

But all that's still in the GTA.

McDavid is from Richmond Hill, which is north of North York, and then later moved to Newmarket; Stamkos is from Unionville/Markham, which is just north of Scarborough. I counted up to 2 townships outside of the Toronto amalgamation.

[Nik]

Isn't McDavid from Newmarket? Cause I feel like we're already pushing it with Markham.

There's an exemption allowed for players who grew up with Leafs posters in their room.

But all that's still in the GTA.

McDavid is from Richmond Hill, which is north of North York, and then later moved to Newmarket; Stamkos is from Unionville/Markham, which is just north of Scarborough. I counted up to 2 townships outside of the Toronto amalgamation.

I still disapprove of anything north of St. Clair.

[Joe]

The question is, will a 27 soon to be 28-year old whose best days may be behind him fit well within the team's building strategy consisting of a bunch of 19- to 22-year olds?

[herman]

Heeey yeah

Not suggesting #Canadiens will trade Subban. Just saying one team confirmed #Habs are "gauging the market".

— Louis Jean (@LouisJeanTVAS) February 19, 2016

[LuncheonMeat]

John Tavares breathed a huge sigh of relief with Stamkos re-signing in Tampa today. Why? Because the ice conditions are so bad at Barclay's that no one will ever sign a contract with the Islanders again. That being the case, Tavares will be without a home in a couple of years. But don't take my word for it... take it away, Larry!

Larry Brooks of the New York Post quotes sources that tell him free agents are staying away from the Islanders.

Brooks write: “[…]one agent with a marquee stable of players has told Slap Shots that he would not recommend that his clients sign with the Islanders as a result of the bad ice conditions at Barclays during the playoffs that he deemed “dangerous.””

[skrackle]

Seems like an ice problem should be fixable, even if they have to rip up the rink surface and re-do it.

[TBLeafer]

Isn't McDavid from Newmarket? Cause I feel like we're already pushing it with Markham.

There's an exemption allowed for players who grew up with Leafs posters in their room.

But all that's still in the GTA.

McDavid is from Richmond Hill, which is north of North York, and then later moved to Newmarket; Stamkos is from Unionville/Markham, which is just north of Scarborough. I counted up to 2 townships outside of the Toronto amalgamation.

I still disapprove of anything north of St. Clair.

Why don't you like Yonge Eggs?

[Zee]

So Matthews 1C, Tavares 2C Kadri 3C, looks pretty good to me

[bustaheims]

They have 2 full seasons to address the issue. If it's still a problem in spring 2018, then we can talk.

[RedLeaf]

So Matthews 1C, Tavares 2C Kadri 3C, looks pretty good to me

Oh man. we just locked down the 160 page Stamkos thread and now Tavares? lol

[RedLeaf]

FTR... I was pretty sure Stamkos was planning to come to the Leafs. It still might have happened if not for a few things that changed on both sides of the equation.  However, there is nothing at all out there that even hints at Tavares coming in a few years. I just don't see it. He'll sign the extension with the Islanders, and play out his days there in all likelihood. The big change to the Leafs this offseason is still the one I wanted the most to happen: landing Auston Matthews. Everything else that may or may not have happened so far this off season, was/is cannon fodder, for lack of a better term.

Exciting times are upon us in Leafland, and even without big name signings, things are starting to shape up. For those that didn't want Stamkos here because of cap space, I hope they are right about their reasons and their stance. The issue I have is this: The team, as it stands now will not be a bottom feeder again this season. They will not be a playoff team this season. That only leaves one other place to finish in the standings, and it is NOT the place we want to be hanging out in for however many more years to come.

[jdh1]

FTR... I was pretty sure Stamkos was planning to come to the Leafs. It still might have happened if not for a few things that changed on both sides of the equation.  However, there is nothing at all out there that even hints at Tavares coming in a few years. I just don't see it. He'll sign the extension with the Islanders, and play out his days there in all likelihood. The big change to the Leafs this offseason is still the one I wanted the most to happen: landing Auston Matthews. Everything else that may or may not have happened so far this off season, was/is cannon fodder, for lack of a better term.

Exciting times are upon us in Leafland, and even without big name signings, things are starting to shape up. For those that didn't want Stamkos here because of cap space, I hope they are right about their reasons and their stance. The issue I have is this: The team, as it stands now will not be a bottom feeder again this season. They will not be a playoff team this season. That only leaves one other place to finish in the standings, and it is NOT the place we want to be hanging out in for however many more years to come.

But you never know about this upcoming season,they could be competitive in some ways,there is probably more changes coming...already a new goalie,a lot can change with stellar goaltending if it happens..look what a good netminder has done for Montreal.

[Nik]

You never know. Tavares in two years might be the right player at the right time. The Leafs might have taken good steps by then and be ready to compete and a 7 year deal might be a good idea.

But if there's anything people should learn from yesterday it's that any big ticket free agents being part of "the plan" is a sucker's bet. It's like "planning" on finding buried treasure. It's entirely outside of the team's control and as such, should only ever be seen as an opportunity and not a necessity. We need to remember how much noise and nonsense there is, how anonymous sources and ex-GM's and twitter likes are so often complete and total red herrings. Until a player makes it to July 1st and can field offers, and even then until we see the press conference announcing him as part of the team, it should always be seen as an unexpected boost, a happy coincidence, and not integral to what the team wants to do.

[TimKerr]

You never know. Tavares in two years might be the right player at the right time. The Leafs might have taken good steps by then and be ready to compete and a 7 year deal might be a good idea.

But if there's anything people should learn from yesterday it's that any big ticket free agents being part of "the plan" is a sucker's bet. It's like "planning" on finding buried treasure. It's entirely outside of the team's control and as such, should only ever be seen as an opportunity and not a necessity. We need to remember how much noise and nonsense there is, how anonymous sources and ex-GM's and twitter likes are so often complete and total red herrings. Until a player makes it to July 1st and can field offers, and even then until we see the press conference announcing him as part of the team, it should always be seen as an unexpected boost, a happy coincidence, and not integral to what the team wants to do.

But, but, but..... Brian Lawton!

[LuncheonMeat]

They have 2 full seasons to address the issue. If it's still a problem in spring 2018, then we can talk.

Party pooper!