The debate over John Tavares' relevance to the Leafs continues
There isn't any Toronto Maple Leafs player who has been more debated lately than captain John Tavares.
The problem isn't necessarily Tavares, but more and more fans are questioning whether it was really worth it for the team to sign the hometown kid to such a high-priced contract.
Former Leafs Zach Hyman with the Edmonton Oilers and Nazem Kadri with the Colorado Avalanche are on their way to the Western Conference Finals. Both have an opportunity to make it to the Stanley Cup final, and it's been pouring salt on Toronto fans' wounds a bit.
Both Hyman and Kadri, with their current salaries, would cost the Leafs less than John Tavares. So, it brings up the question, should the Leafs have ever signed John Tavares?
Of course, it's easy to look back and say they never should've signed the former first overall pick to a seven-year, $77 million contract in 2018. When Tavares picked Toronto, fans were excited he was coming.
When Nazem Kadri was traded, his escapades and suspensions in the playoffs had exasperated more than one person. Kadri had a career-best in assists and points this season, with a total of 28 goals and 59 assists for 87 points (his career-best was 61 points in 2017).
Zach Hyman set a career-best in all three categories with 27 goals and 27 assists for 54 points. His previous best was 21 goals and 41 points in 2019 and 25 assists in 2018. He's also enjoying an outstanding postseason with 12 points in 12 games for the Oilers.
Yes, general manager Kyle Dubas may have misjudged his club's needs, but his team pushed the Lightning to the limit, which the President's Trophy-winning Florida Panthers were unable to do in the second round.
Even with John Tavares being paid a hefty price, the Maple Leafs aren't perfect, just not as bad as some people think.
| POLL | ||
Would the Leafs have been better off not signing John Tavares? | ||
| Yes | 50 | 45 % |
| No | 61 | 55 % |
| List of polls | ||
