Hypothetical: Leafs better with Tavares or Stamkos?

[Frankie Blueberries]

Let's say Stamkos decided to sign when he was a UFA for the exact same contract as Tavares. Which situation would you prefer?

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[GlitchMarner]

Tavares is a good fit here. I prefer him on TOR, but I think Stamkos is better for TB.

 

[Leafsrock95]

Idk I constantly change my mind this season I think I’d take stamkos.

 

[Martin Skoula]

Tavares' game is a much better fit. Stamkos isn't half the garbageman Tavares is. Toronto's not really a big shooting team from distance outside of Matthews.

 

[HarryLime]

JT, Idk why but I haven't been a fan of SS since the leg break injury. Not saying he isn't good or anything, but I am always impressed with 4-5 Bolts players more than him when I watch them

 

[780il]

Tavares

I think he's found the perfect fit in Toronto acting as mr.tap-in playing with Marner as their 1c.

 

[Krewe]

Pre-injury stamkos by a mile. Nowadays it’s close with Tavares getting the slight edge

 

[Randy Randerson]

Tavares is an elite talent within 10-15 feet of the net and Marner is going to get the puck to that area a lot, so I'd lean Tavares unless contracts are included. Hard to go wrong though

 

[wintersej]

As a Bruins fan, Stamkos scares me much more. The ability to score from everywhere is hard on the Bruins defensive structure.

 

[Pyrophorus]

Do I want a garbage man, or a shooter.

Even though he scored less, leaning slightly to Stammer.

 

[Nizdizzle]

It would be nice for the Leafs to have a player who can take a slapshot. Safe choice, going to go with Tavares just because we already know he and Marner mesh so well.

 

[um]

Its close but Leafs could really use a right handed one timer on the PP. (Stamkos)

 

[LeafGrief]

JT can clean up the garbage in front of the net, Marner can get it there.

Stamkos can fire lasers from the wall, Marner can get it there.

Either or, tbh. Maybe I go with JT for his cycle game, but I think they'd both be very successful in each other's shoes.

 

[FourRings]

I think JT fits so well with the Leafs as is that I can't see how having Stamkos instead could make them any better/more dangerous.

But as someone above me mentioned: Marner is the guy driving the line, he will get it wherever JT/Stamkos prefer the puck to be.

 

[bobholly39]

Voted Tavares

He just had an incredible season. Its possible Stamkos could do better but its also possible he could do a lot worst for many reasons

 

[Riseonfire]

Well, so far the only data we have is that Toronto got worse (if only slightly) when adding Tavares so I'm voting Stamkos.

 

[mitchthemitch]

Tavares' game is a much better fit. Stamkos isn't half the garbageman Tavares is. Toronto's not really a big shooting team from distance outside of Matthews.

1 of Matthews 100 goals have come from beyond the circles..

 

[tony d]

Give me Tavares here.

 

[34]

Both the #91 Toronto boys are awesome players. I am happy that Toronto was lucky enough to get Tavares.

 

[Albi34]

I think i would have been equally psyched to get either one. Cant really predict if stamkos would have had as big an impact this year but im sure it would have been close. All i know is tavares was even better than I anticipated so I'll go with what I know.

 

[BlueBaron]

Probably not a huge difference either way but I am happy with JT.

 

[authentic]

Tavares, both are extremely close though but completely different styles, I think both would work well but Tavares just scored more goals playing with players who put up considerably less points.

 

[Kamiccolo]

Tavares

I think he's found the perfect fit in Toronto acting as mr.tap-in playing with Marner as their 1c.

Is this the new narrative now? He was supposed to suck and when he didn't they were all tap ins?

 

[780il]

Is this the new narrative now? He was supposed to suck and when he didn't they were all tap ins?

It's not a knock on the player at all lol. You don't have to play the victim card every time.

He scored 47 goals, that's ridiculously good. It's just most of if not all of them came around the net, that's all.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Tavares, both are extremely close though but completely different styles, I think both would work well but Tavares just scored more goals playing with players who put up considerably less points.

*At 5on5

You forgot that addendum, because it's not like Stamkos gets to play with Kucherov or Point regularly (or even semi-regularly) outside of the powerplay.

So Stamkos gets the edge in terms of PP linemates, but I don't know how you can suggest he also gets the edge at even strength.