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Top NHL Insider Shares Shocking Report on Former Leafs Captain John Tavares
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
NHL Insider Chris Johnston has shared an unexpected update on the future of former Leafs captain John Tavares on Thursday, following a blowout loss in Game 5.
After building an early 2-0 series lead on the Florida Panthers, the Toronto Maple Leafs looked to have firm control of their playoff destiny in Round 2. Fast forward 3 games and the sky is falling in Toronto once again, as the Leafs found a newer, more disappointing way of collapsing in spectacular fashion. Now, fans are once again calling for change.
After shaking the ground in Toronto with a surprising report on Mitch Marner's future with the Maple Leafs on Thursday, The Athletic's Chris Johnston also shared a shocking update on former captain John Tavares.
Johnston revealed during a piece for The Athletic that Tavares may be out this summer as well if the Leafs can't turn this series against Florida around.
"Unless the Leafs can pick themselves up off the mat and win Game 6 on the road in Florida on Friday night, this may be how it ends for Marner in Toronto.
Same goes for John Tavares, another pending UFA who has repeatedly expressed a desire to stay but may not be granted that opportunity. He had a fantastic season at age 34, but it will be difficult for management to justify running things back at the top of the lineup unless this group finally takes a meaningful step forward."
Same goes for John Tavares, another pending UFA who has repeatedly expressed a desire to stay but may not be granted that opportunity. He had a fantastic season at age 34, but it will be difficult for management to justify running things back at the top of the lineup unless this group finally takes a meaningful step forward."
You truly do have to feel for Tavares in this situation, as the veteran forward had one of the best seasons of his career in 2024-25, and may now lose out on his opportunity to sign a 5-6 year extension to retire as a member of the Maple Leafs because of yet another brutal collapse.
Tavares has always been a good soldier, so you certainly hate to see it, but if change is needed in Toronto, the team does have to part with some significant salary and remove some of its core pieces. Tavares may not deserve to go, but moving on from he and Mitch Marner would free up nearly $22M in cap space, which could aid the Leafs in restructuring the roster significantly.
| POLL | ||
MAI 15 | 3684 ANSWERS Top NHL Insider Shares Shocking Report on Former Leafs Captain John Tavares Will the Leafs walk away from John Tavares this summer? | ||
| Yes | 1702 | 46.2 % |
| No | 1982 | 53.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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