Did UG explain to us why JT decided to come to the Leafs yet? He assured us that hometown didn't mean anything and that taxes and etc meant he was just using the Leafs for contract leverage. I'm so confused as UG seems so knowledgeable

- Unholy_Goalie

LeBrun wrote about Marleau's influence on Tavares today.

Voynov.

Vaynov or Naynov?
- Unholy_Goalie

He's a top 4 D

I just don't know much about his situation, he could be a good guy to have around the team who just made a stupid mistake.

Or he could be a complete ass

I'm sure GM's will figure it out

Did UG explain to us why JT decided to come to the Leafs yet? He assured us that hometown didn't mean anything and that taxes and etc meant he was just using the Leafs for contract leverage. I'm so confused as UG seems so knowledgeable
- Archaic

He let the 10 year old version of himself make the decision. Nobody else ever has and I'm happy he did.

LeBrun wrote about Marleau's influence on Tavares today.
- magmoo

Marleau was good last year. Plays a solid two way game, leadership and scored 27 goals.

Awesome in the playoffs.

JVR at 7 mil for 5 years would not of worked. Marleau's deal is done next year...just in time for Dermott, Kap, Johnson, ext getting some raises.

LeBrun wrote about Marleau's influence on Tavares today.
- magmoo

Tavares still signs with or without Marleau. Every writer in the Toronto media needs a fluff piece right now.

If Tavares took 3rd liners and made them 30-40 goal scorers, imagine how JVR would look beside Tavares, especially on the PP.

Just sayin'
- Unholy_Goalie

Well marner, nylander and marner are no 3rd liners.

He's a top 4 D

I just don't know much about his situation, he could be a good guy to have around the team who just made a stupid mistake.

Or he could be a complete ass

I'm sure GM's will figure it out
- Santo_44

Depends how low the price is but it could be worth adding an experienced Cup winning RHD.

Then again, if he hits his wife as hard as the opposition, maybe that's a guy the team doesn't want around.

He let the 10 year old version of himself make the decision. Nobody else ever has and I'm happy he did.
- Unholy_Goalie

There are plenty of players who went to play for their hometowns.

The Leafs are a great fit, the added bonus of it being his hometown team is great.

His fiancé has family and a career in Missisuaga. His family and friends are all around. There were a lot of factors that came into this. None that you understand obviously

Well marner, nylander and marner are no 3rd liners.
- Fakepartofme

No doubt but JVR and Tavares together on the PP would be very dangerous.

without Marleau, JT possibly doesn't sign here.
Marleau was the first one to make the step to join leafs to win a cup.
Tavares spoke extensively with Marleau before making that decision.
As well, JVR sucks defensively - I never liked him that much to begin with.
- MaximusAurelius

Well no.
Marleau wasnt the reason jesus.
Marleau/ jvr...im sure jt would enjoy playing with either.

Tavares still signs with or without Marleau. Every writer in the Toronto media needs a fluff piece right now.
- Unholy_Goalie

Perhaps a little humility is in order when it comes to your views on Tavares?

You were completely and utterly wrong, everyone saw it, yet you still act like you have a semblance of credibility on the subject.

Absolutely you could. Martin, Hyman and Brown make 6.85 combined. Get rid of them and replace them with ELC players.
- Unholy_Goalie

Not a great recipe for success though
Although, we don't need martin anymore

Perhaps a little humility is in order when it comes to your views on Tavares?

You were completely and utterly wrong, everyone saw it, yet you still act like you have a semblance of credibility on the subject.
- Leafs43

Yup.

Very sad

Also, the Marleau contract was stupid and cost us JVR.

JVR signed for 7 million a year for 5 years. Would much, much, much rather have JVR during his prime years (and no poopty 6th and 7th year either) than Marleau right now on his last legs.

JVR, Tavares, Marner, Matthews and Nylander on the PP.
- Unholy_Goalie

Marleau is a better asset to have than JVR for a bunch of reasons-

1) offensively they’re about par. JVR had a huge season last year, but he generally scores just a hair under 30. Neither is a big playmaker

2)The tiny edge JVR has offensively is greatly outweighed by Marleau’s defensive ability. He is a legitimate shutdown winger.

3) Marleau is a hard-working player, with tons of experience to go with his skill. He’s already taken a few of the Leafs’ youngsters under his wing. What does giving JVR a big contract teach guys? Be good at one thing and don’t give a (frank) about any other aspect of the game, and we’ll reward you? Great example.

4) Marleau is cheaper, with less time left on his contract. When Matthews and Marner’s contracts kick in, he’ll have one year left, with most of his money being paid July 1st. If the Leafs need to clear cap badly, he’s a lot easier to work with than what would be 4 more years of a declining, more expensive asset in JVR.

And make no mistake, when JVR starts to go, it won’t be the slow and steady decline like Marleau. JVR’s game is based on one trait- tipping picks. It’s not easy, and he’s one of the best at it, but if he can’t get moving fast enough to get in position, and is getting caught behind the play more and more frequently, he will struggle, and his team will regret the contract. Marleau is a cerebral player who contributes quite a bit even when he’s not scoring.

No doubt but JVR and Tavares together on the PP would be very dangerous.
- Unholy_Goalie

The leafs will miss jvr for sure.
But we have a new toy

Yup.

Very sad
- Santo_44

Its funny.

Yup.

Very sad
- Santo_44

Oh come on guys, so he didn't really believe JT would sign here, it's not like he was some sort of high and mighty douche bag constantly suggesting any reasons for Tavares to sign with the Leafs were idiotic, right?

Oh wait.

And a lot of you are adamant that he's willing to leave money on the table to join a high pressure situation on an inferior team because he has an unstoppable childhood dream to play for the Leafs with zero proof. One of these two arguments isn't rooted in logic or reason and it definitely isn't mine.

- UG

Hmm, looks like he did just do all that.

Oh and wait, what's this?

Most are simply saying there are some reasons why he might consider the Leafs, but that it's a long shot. What exactly about this stance do you disagree with?
- Thecakeisagenius

That the "reasons" are poopty reasons with no proof requiring giant leaps of blue and white faith.
- UG

This is great.

Oh come on guys, so he didn't really believe JT would sign here, it's not like he was some sort of high and mighty douche bag constantly suggesting any reasons for Tavares to sign with the Leafs were idiotic, right?

Oh wait.
Hmm, looks like he did just do all that.

Oh and wait, what's this?




This is great.
- Thecakeisalie

You forgot about the taxes.

Absolutely you could. Martin, Hyman and Brown make 6.85 combined. Get rid of them and replace them with ELC players.
- Unholy_Goalie

replace the top2 leafs penalty killers with elc players.. yeah that will work out great.
and what for?
some pylon that feeds off of other player's talents (kessel, marner), is a one trick pony on the pk, and has an alergic reaction after a backcheck

you were wrong about tavares all the way, and now you're arguing about jvr??

just shut it and go and look for some anonymity please

Well no.
Marleau wasnt the reason jesus.
Marleau/ jvr...im sure jt would enjoy playing with either.
- Fakepartofme

thank you for referring to me as God's son.

i wasn't referring to marleau as jt linemate.
i was referring to tavares apparently having quite some extensive discussions with marleau - basically since he made a similar move last year to leafs from sj after having played there for his whole career.

You forgot about the taxes.
- TrashPanda

True, but apparently "an unstoppable childhood dream to play for the Leafs" trumps taxes.

True, but apparently "an unstoppable childhood dream to play for the Leafs" trumps taxes.


- Thecakeisalie

Tavares main reason for joining the Leafs is that he thinks that Leafs is one of the few teams that is a legit contender for SC next 5-7 years.

thank you for referring to me as God's son.

i wasn't referring to marleau as jt linemate.
i was referring to tavares apparently having quite some extensive discussions with marleau - basically since he made a similar move last year to leafs from sj after having played there for his whole career.
- MaximusAurelius

I've read this a few times. JT talked to a lot of people about where he might go and he mentioned Marleau talking to him about the difficulty in leaving your first team that you've played with for a long team, as well as telling him how much fun he'd have in Toronto.

Tavares main reason for joining the Leafs is that he thinks that Leafs is one of the few teams that is a legit contender for SC next 5-7 years.
- MaximusAurelius

Which is also something UG argued about extensively.

I'll agree that Tampa is just as poised as us to be a contender for a long time. Although we don't know what their plans were. Maybe Tavares didn't like how they planned to deal with the cap or they were offering him less, who knows.