How are you feeling about Tavares these days?

[Tak7]

He did his job as a marquee free agent signed well into his 30s. The final few seasons of that deal were always going to be tough.

They just didn't build a good enough team around him.

 

[Darcy Tucker]

I hope to god that Treliving has the balls to cut ties with Tavares and not even bring him back on a discount. Let him hit the market.

He's just gotten to slow and ineffective 5 on 5 that he makes the team considerably worse. His line is always getting caved , he doesn't move the needle as a Captain or 2nd line offensive center. He was decent , he can win faceoffs and make some nice plays on the PP. Scored some clutch goals. But they were few and far between. He's just a slow opportunist now that can't play a lick of defense, doesn't scrap and can't hit. I saw him try to hit someone in the D zone the other game and it did nothing.

Ontop of his contract totally handcuffing the GM from rounding out the roster properly.

This team will only become successful once Tavares is removed from the equation. I've been of this opinion for a while. Hate to be right , it's killing the team.

 

[notbias]

Ontop of his contract totally handcuffing the GM from rounding out the roster properly.

This team will only become successful once Tavares is removed from the equation. I've been of this opinion for a while. Hate to be right , it's killing the team.

Agree with your post for the most part.

8 million on Samsanov and Klingberg this offseason... we are just a Kampf and Reaves away from the Tavares contract.

Not sure the GM would have rounded out the team properly.

 

[ToneDog]

1 PPG in 4 playoff games is pretty disappointing. I'd be open to resigning him to be our #3LW at $2m. Tavares Minten Marner if Marner survives this summer and is willing to sign for a reasonable number.

 

[1specter]

He did his job as a marquee free agent signed well into his 30s. The final few seasons of that deal were always going to be tough.

They just didn't build a good enough team around him.

Yup, they blew the first 3-4 years of the deal completely, that was the window. He was supposed to be what the Hossa addition was to the Hawks.

Also, for what it's worth, he has actually been pretty solid defensively in the latter part of his deal, despite what people may want to believe. He's been leaned on quite heavily by Keefe as a matchup C these past couple of seasons, and even in this series he's taken the brunt of the Pastrnak matchup, and has only been on the ice for 1 goal against at 5v5. Problem is that he is not at a level anymore where he can take on hard defensive assignments and still generate offense, it is just not something he is capable of anymore.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Somehow team needs to start afresh and rebuild without JT and Mitch .. these guys are flat out too SLOW in playoffs .. neither has another gear to move into .. they are both trying their best but bottom line they can't compete when it matters .. Matty on the other hand did in games 1 and 2 but clearly this norovirus shut him down past 2 games .. Willy well clearly something is not right last game but he did sit out 1st 3 games so I am going to give him a pass on getting back up to game speed .. but before anything is done with roster we NEED a new MANAGER for da team .. Shanny needs to be sacked and a new leader hired

 

[seventieslord]

Also, for what it's worth, he has actually been pretty solid defensively in the latter part of his deal, despite what people may want to believe. He's been leaned on quite heavily by Keefe as a matchup C these past couple of seasons, and even in this series he's taken the brunt of the Pastrnak matchup, and has only been on the ice for 1 goal against at 5v5. Problem is that he is not at a level anymore where he can take on hard defensive assignments and still generate offense, it is just not something he is capable of anymore.

To be fair to JT, this appears to be true from the analytics as well.

He was a black hole defensively his entire career, through 2021 but his metrics have been ticking up since then: 19%, 27%, 57% on Jfresh's model the last three seasons. I would have scoffed at your post had I not fact-checked it.

 

[Stephen]

If Tavares ever wanted to show some emotional fire, these elimination games are a good as time as any. But probably not.

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

He's in the sunset phase of his career and can't carry a line anymore. He didn't have good foot speed even in his prime but made up for it with hands, strength on the boards and puck possession. Lack of mobility now is really hurting him.

I don't see how you bring him back in any role after his contract is up. He's too slow to play center , and likely shouldn't be on a scoring line. Maybe depth 3lw?

What I don't really understand is how badly he handles the puck....I knew he was already slow, but figured he would still have his quick mitts even as he aged out of the league. The sight of him fumbling the puck around when he gets a pass along the boards is pretty stark to me. He also seems like he is hold the stick like a golf club...really high up and he loses leverage when he has to fight for the puck.

 

[Ciao]

The Hell with Tavares, and the rest of them.

Matthews and Rielly are keepers. Anyone or anything else -- meh, at best.

 

[puckie]

Still one year with no move clause. Is there anything a GM can do? Soak up 5 mil and see if someone takes him for 6?

 

[Gilmour1996]

I don't want a captain that turns the other cheek when he gets roughed up. I want to see fists-a-flying, not a mouse slinking away.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

This guy has to be the most uninspiring Captain ever.

Did you see the way he took over. Settled the kids down after their sissy fit. Motivated the team to win.

I didn't see that either.

They need to unload Captain Boat Anchor somehow. There's got to be a way to get rid of this guy. Even if it is after his signing bonus is paid.

Paying Tavares to go away is looking like a better and better idea with each passing day.

I used to think Sundin was an uninspiring Captain too. Especially in his younger years. But that's only because he was surrounded by guys who bled Blue'n'White.

Not only is Tavares uninspiring but so is the rest of the team he's supposed to be leading.

 

[WillyC]

Two full pages of bashing John Tavares since Saturday night… not one post since that overtime power move to the net, helping us save the season.

Go figure… last post was another lengthy rant.

Since that JT dish to Knies, saving our season… crickets.

 

[rielledup]

To be fair to JT, this appears to be true from the analytics as well.

He was a black hole defensively his entire career, through 2021 but his metrics have been ticking up since then: 19%, 27%, 57% on Jfresh's model the last three seasons. I would have scoffed at your post had I not fact-checked it.

Funny how people have always talked about how solid JT is defensively, I think people just hear something from someone and go with it.

 

[ashs]

say what you want, he's clutch

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Opened up the NHL stats tonight and was surprised to see Tavares tied for second in overall points, 1 behind the NHL leader.

Yes, it’s 5 games in, but I’ve watched most of the games this year and have barely thought about Tavares. Had no idea he was tied with Willy for points.

I feel like he’s either taken for granted or just barely tolerated by most fans, and more or less looked down upon by those outside the fan base. For example, a lot of people on the main boards seem to think he won’t make the HHoF, which I think he’s almost a lock for already, and certainly a lock for if he puts in a few more decent production years.

I honestly don’t really know what to make of the guy as a player right now, or who his “equivalents” are in the NHL.

Where are you guys at with JT these days?

No changes. He was a proven point producer in his NHL career, but he would never be my choice for Leaf Captain or to award him a 7 year 11 million dollar contract.

 

[hotpaws]

Two full pages of bashing John Tavares since Saturday night… not one post since that overtime power move to the net, helping us save the season.

Go figure… last post was another lengthy rant.

Since that JT dish to Knies, saving our season… crickets.

dish to Knies ? maybe you should watch the play again , he shoveled the puck towards the net , it hit the side of the net then off the Bruins D foot and then went in front of the net

also , how come you only pop up when JT gets the odd point , and i'd hardly be crowing over JT getting only his 2nd point in 5 games on a lucky bounce while playing another poor game

 

[WillyC]

dish to Knies ? maybe you should watch the play again , he shoveled the puck towards the net , it hit the side of the net then off the Bruins D foot and then went in front of the net

also , how come you only pop up when JT gets the odd point , and i'd hardly be crowing over JT getting only his 2nd point in 5 games on a lucky bounce while playing another poor game

I really do feel your pain of watching Tavares make that play to help us win in overtime… you must be livid.

4 shots on net (Mo and Willy led with 5) and 6 hits (McCabe led with 7 hits).

Are you even watching these games?

That power move to the net in overtime… must be infuriating for you.

 

[Namikaze Minato]

 

[JT AM da real deal]

That was JT best grinding game in a long time .. JT plays better when game slows down to a grind like last night .. much better defensive approach by team .. key was team always played right side of puck . no cheating .. it was Devils style playoff hockey which wins .. i hope we play same grinding game at home

 

[banks]

And this comes in a clutch game when the star #1C is out of the lineup.

He made a positive impact yesterday. I'm betting he will again in game 6.

 

[ORRFForever]

Two full pages of bashing John Tavares since Saturday night… not one post since that overtime power move to the net, helping us save the season.

Go figure… last post was another lengthy rant.

Since that JT dish to Knies, saving our season… crickets.

I agree. Knies is getting all the love while JT did all the work. That's life I guess - I am sure JT's $10M salary will help ease his pain.

 

[IPS]

Incredibly good game by JT.

 

[djdev]

i get that he assisted on the final goal with a crazy amount of luck with how the puck bounced off the side of the net straight to knies, and thank god he actually did something positive and helped us win the game. but cmon, lets be honest, hes been really bad this series and isnt a top 6 player 5v5 anymore. he, along with all of a "core" need to be WAY better.