Toronto Maple Leafs Podcast: John Tavares is coming home
The Tip of the Tower Podcast returns to break down the biggest free agent signing in Toronto Maple Leafs history with John Tavares deciding to follow his heart and come home.
It was definitely a free agent frenzy on Sunday with a lot of movement going in the NHL but none were bigger than John Tavares signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
On the latest edition of the Tip of the Tower Podcast breaks down the momentous signing and what it means for the Leafs going forward. Jake Middleton returns once again as David Morassutti and Austin Owens get his insight on the news and reaction that he’s seen south of the border.
**Warning podcast contains some strong language.**
(0:00-15:40) After Jake gets a chance to show off his lovely voice, David, Austin and Jake look back on how their Canada Day with something happening on that day to get everybody excited.
Jake looks at how the New York Islanders didn’t stand a chance given that they didn’t have many reasons to convince Tavares to stay. David looks at how everything was heating up on Saturday night with no clear indication that he was staying in Long Island.
(15:40-33:40) David asks Jake and Austin what the bigger win was; getting Tavares to leave the Islanders or take less money than what the San Jose Sharks offered to come to Toronto.
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They look into the whole loyalty factor and why this might set a new standard for free agents going forward as teams might put more resources into recruiting. It also speaks to how the Leafs went all out in the recruiting process with the presentation and players reaching out to Tavares which was the difference in the end.
How much does the hometown aspect play into all of this and why will Tavares be able to handle the pressure? David, Jake and Austin discuss why he’s been prepared his whole life for this.
They also discuss why Tavares leaving shouldn’t be criticized considering how the Islanders did nothing to put him in a position to succeed with the bad decisions they made along the way.
(33:40-39:25) Tavares not signing a max contract for one season is not a big surprise given the fact that this is still a business and he knows that making the money over the long haul.
At the same time, the idea that the Leafs were the only team to have financial muscle out of all the other suitors is not correct as Jake’s point out and that almost every other team would’ve offered the same deal.
(39:30-end) The constant talk about William Nylander being a player to move in order to fix the defence is puzzling as Jake, David and Austin examine the possibility of moving a dynamic winger and not getting the return they should get.
Jake does say that there are five defencemen that the Leafs should trade Nylander for but the chances of them being available or realistic trade options is unlikely.
They also look at how the roster should look with Tavares included and what is left for them to finish off before the seasons starts.
Next: How the offence could line up with John Tavares
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