The Toronto Maple Leafs have landed the biggest free agent of the past 20 years, signing John Tavares to a seven-year deal, the team announced:
In what will go down as one of the biggest moves in the history of the NHL, Tavares is leaving Long Island after nine years. The perennial superstar is joining his hometown team, and the long-suffering Leaf fans finally caught their break. It's safe to say this is the best Canada Day in years for Leaf Land.
Tavares took to Twitter and thanked the Islanders and apologized if his decision "pained" the organization and fans. Tavares also tweeted out this photo, displaying how ecstatic he is to join Toronto.
Tavares was widely expected to re-sign with the Islanders as he entered his contract year. The front office decided not to move out their captain at the deadline, and it turned out to be an awful decision.
New Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas brought Tavares in for a meeting earlier in the week, and it turns out his pitch was near-perfect. The Leafs now own a ridiculous core of forwards, led by Tavares, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Nazem Kadri and Patrick Marleau. In short, the time to win the Stanley Cup is now in Toronto. They're not waiting anymore.
The Maple Leafs haven't won the Stanley Cup since 1967, and their last playoff series victory took place back in 2004. But after years of pain and torture, things are looking up for hockey's most passionate fanbase.
Tavares and Matthews will form one of the most legendary 1-2 center combinations in history. The Leafs will score in bunches, and they're bound to compete for many Stanley Cup championships. Perhaps no team will be able to match their depth at forward, now.
Happy Canada Day, Leafs fans.