Buds17
Registered User
- Nov 29, 2015
- 8,273
- 3,393
Tavares was a big flex and the right splash but not necessarily the most perfect and urgent fit. Kind of the opposite of San Jose who really needed Tavares but ended up with Karlsson, we really needed that big splash to be Drew Doughty. I don’t regret it at all but merely stating how it could have been more perfect.
I think method of acquisition might have played some part. As a UFA signing, cap might eventually have to move to fit in that signing. Through a trade, LA might want/need to take back cap, but they'd possibly also want (good?) futures in addition to that. In fairness, a trade also opens up the possibility of gaining an extra year on the contract.
All that in mind, I'm good with the Tavares signing as well and looking forward to his return to the lineup. An equivalent UFA defenceman also being available and willing to sign with the Leafs could have made for an interesting either/or scenario back then.