TO TOT (Tavares to Toronto) TO HANDLE!
Posted 6:44 PM ET | Comments 1
Regarding the Tavares to Toronto possibilities as reported by The Star, Sportsnet and the Globe and Mail etc.
From a Leafs/Marlies perspective: The idea to the best of my understanding works as a way around the draft to *potentially* land a 21 years old Tavares as a Leaf or at the least getting Tavares in the immediate future a shot with the Marlies for a year contract.
Tavares is eligible to be drafted in 2009.
However, Tavares would prefer to be draft eligible for 2008 as many of his peers will be but the NHL as of yet is not looking to make an exception for Tavares whos birthdate is 5 days past the deadline. Deadline =Sept. 15, 1990, Tavares= Sept. 20, 1990.
From my understanding Tavares is not after money, his agent is not (pushing) after money, he does not want to pick and choose his own team, and he doesn't want to be fussy. He doesn't want special treatment but has had to at least ask for it, no hurt in asking.
The understanding from the Tavares camp is that John REALLY wants to play at a higher level to progress as a hockey player, thus I believe this is why Europe and other options are being thrown around and perhaps why the Leafs decided to throw in some possible options (what the heck eh), regardless of how unlikely they are to be accepted.
The offers reported to be out of Toronto are basically.
1. One year deal with Marlies where he would be released and drafted in 2009. Not necessarily possible due to AHL age restrictions, AHL bylaws require that a player be 18 as of Sept. 15. Pros for Tavares? Gets to play at the AHL and will make some nice coin. Kinda a tease for Toronto fans but the Marlies tickets sales would be amazing.
2. Three year deal with the Marlies where he would ignore the team that drafts him 2009. He would become a free agent in 2011, where he would be 21 years old and could sign with the Leafs or any other team he wants. Pros for Tavares? Gets to play at the AHL level, and make some nice coin. Cons: He would be stuck in the AHL until he is 21 and also would quite likely hinder his fan power and perceived character from outsiders looking in.
Anyway, so far "Neither Leafs general manager John Ferguson, nor Tavares's agent, Brian MacDonald, could not be reached for comment. " so I'll believe it when I see it!!!
Only thing I would hate to see is any kind of mess that resembles the likes of Lindros in his early days. So long as any arrangement with Tavares does not not hinder the integrity of his character and the greater good of the NHL, I wouldn't mind seeing Tavares involved with Toronto at any level. But I'd rather see him drafted per normal in 09 and go through the motions then to get him involved in any questionable route to the NHL. No grey areas, no controversy, no BS, just a good Canadian boy on to super stardom in the NHL when the time is right.
Maybe just let the kid play junior and grow up. Regardless of how anxious he is, his day to get better and play at a higher level will come soon enough.
From a Leafs/Marlies perspective: The idea to the best of my understanding works as a way around the draft to *potentially* land a 21 years old Tavares as a Leaf or at the least getting Tavares in the immediate future a shot with the Marlies for a year contract.
Tavares is eligible to be drafted in 2009.
However, Tavares would prefer to be draft eligible for 2008 as many of his peers will be but the NHL as of yet is not looking to make an exception for Tavares whos birthdate is 5 days past the deadline. Deadline =Sept. 15, 1990, Tavares= Sept. 20, 1990.
From my understanding Tavares is not after money, his agent is not (pushing) after money, he does not want to pick and choose his own team, and he doesn't want to be fussy. He doesn't want special treatment but has had to at least ask for it, no hurt in asking.
The understanding from the Tavares camp is that John REALLY wants to play at a higher level to progress as a hockey player, thus I believe this is why Europe and other options are being thrown around and perhaps why the Leafs decided to throw in some possible options (what the heck eh), regardless of how unlikely they are to be accepted.
The offers reported to be out of Toronto are basically.
1. One year deal with Marlies where he would be released and drafted in 2009. Not necessarily possible due to AHL age restrictions, AHL bylaws require that a player be 18 as of Sept. 15. Pros for Tavares? Gets to play at the AHL and will make some nice coin. Kinda a tease for Toronto fans but the Marlies tickets sales would be amazing.
2. Three year deal with the Marlies where he would ignore the team that drafts him 2009. He would become a free agent in 2011, where he would be 21 years old and could sign with the Leafs or any other team he wants. Pros for Tavares? Gets to play at the AHL level, and make some nice coin. Cons: He would be stuck in the AHL until he is 21 and also would quite likely hinder his fan power and perceived character from outsiders looking in.
Anyway, so far "Neither Leafs general manager John Ferguson, nor Tavares's agent, Brian MacDonald, could not be reached for comment. " so I'll believe it when I see it!!!
Only thing I would hate to see is any kind of mess that resembles the likes of Lindros in his early days. So long as any arrangement with Tavares does not not hinder the integrity of his character and the greater good of the NHL, I wouldn't mind seeing Tavares involved with Toronto at any level. But I'd rather see him drafted per normal in 09 and go through the motions then to get him involved in any questionable route to the NHL. No grey areas, no controversy, no BS, just a good Canadian boy on to super stardom in the NHL when the time is right.
Maybe just let the kid play junior and grow up. Regardless of how anxious he is, his day to get better and play at a higher level will come soon enough.
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