So rarely in the NHL does a superstar talentsuch as John Tavares reach free agency that, when it actually happened Sunday, it was hard to wrap your head around the sheer spectacle of Tavares Watch and all its glory, however brief.
For a fleeting hour, the hockey world held its breath with each clue, the now-former Islanders captainfree to sign with any one of the 31 teams he most desired. And after more than a week of deliberating locales, line combinations and championship appeal, above five other finalists, joining acity and its Boston Bruins Jersey prodigal son in their mutual pursuit of an elusive Stanley Cup.
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As much as Maple Leafs fans Tavares among them as a boy had been wishing for this homecoming the last two years, the Islanders were dreading it. For a while, it looked as though new hockey czar Lou Lamoriellocould do no wrong, hiring a championship-winning coach . Then it all changed in an instant.
Accordingly, the Maple Leafs and Islanders wound up on opposite sides of the isle in handing out grades for the first 24 hours of free agency. Tavares' seven-year, $77 million contract was far and away the biggest one signed, but there was actually a considerable amount of movement for a cla s that failed to inspire intrigue beyond its biggest fish.
In all, more than $480 million in contracts were distributed to free agents (unrestricted and restricted) Sunday the highesttotal on July 1 since 2014.
Like every year, some teams proved savvier than others. Let's take a look at the winners and losers from Day 1 of NHL free agency.
MORE: In pursuit of Cup, John Tavares puts Leafs in position to go for it
Winner: Toronto Maple Leafs
Start with the obvious. The signing of Tavaresis a coup for the Maple Leafs, and the way it played out should put to rest any false pretenses Leafs fansprepared in case they were rejected again. A 27-year-old superstar is suddenly plopped into the middle ofa contending roster already rife with young talent in AustonMatthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and the like. Granted, Tavares isn't a defensemen, so this team still will need to continue to improve. Brock Boeser Jersey But the Leafs (on paper) seem to have that coveted blend of cheap production and veteran presence that's a must for any Stanley Cup contender these days.
That won't last in perpetuity. It's why maybe the 2018-19 season could be the Leafs' very best shot at ending Toronto's 51-year Cup drought. Next offseason, it'll be time to pony up for Matthews, Marner and Jake Gardiner. Tavares allowed for that po sibility in deciding to leavemoney on the table and space between Toronto's cap ceiling another win for rookie general manager Kyle Dubas and Co. The departures of unrestricted free Gordie Howe Jersey agents James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozakand Tomas Plekanecleaves some holes at forward, but the Leafs have stockpiled enough prospect equity to bridge those gaps internally. They'll enter next season with Tavares, Matthews and Nazem Kadrias a center trio.
Outside of Pittsburgh, good luck finding a better group in the NHL. The pieces should fall into place from there.
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Loser: Lou Lamoriello
The grave mistake of allowing Tavares to reach apoint of no return that can be NHL free agency was committed under a previous regime.Lamoriello was given a monthto a suageconcerns between a franchise and its foremost star, selling him on the idea the Islanders could morph into a more stable, contending entity under “Lou's Shane Gersich Jersey Rules” like the organization he departed. That's the greatest irony of Tavares signing with the Leafs, though. And it;s up to Lamoriello now to carry out the contingency plan.
What is it? Good question. The Isles are stocked with some young talent, too, led by NHL rookie of the year Mathew Barzal, who likely will inherit Tavares' title as face of the franchise. Except it's mostly the same core that's failed to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Lamoriellohas so far whiffed on addre sing glaringneeds in net and on the blue line, watching the best options in free agency dry up while his attention was (understandably) elsewhere.
Still, it's reasonable to ask how long Lamoriellodeserves the benefit of the doubt. There were more than a few cooks in Toronto's kitchen, and it's been a while since that 2012Cup Final run with the Devils. In mi sing on Tavares, heproceeded to commit$22 million in multi-year contracts for former Leafs plugger Leo Komarov and fringe defenseman Thomas Hickey. No positive way to slice up this July 1 in Brooklyn.
MORE:John Tavares admits ‘my heart was tearing apart'leaving Islanders
Loser: San Jose Sharks
Really, we could fill this article with the 30 losers fromthe Tavares sweepstakes. Every general manager kicksthe tires, however briefly, when a superstar of this ilk reachesthe open market and can only dream of adding such a talent. It's especially gut-wrenching for the five finalists Dylan Sikura Jersey who came so close. And outside of the Islanders, the only team closer to Tavares through the proce s was the Sharks, who made no bones about their aspirations in adding him to a Cup-caliber core that's starting to feel a now-or-never pre sure.
The Sharks ultimately finished third in this dance, despite their reported offer of $91 million a deal which would have made Tavares the highest-paid player in the NHL. Yet, he said thefinal decision came down to the Maple Leafs and Islanders. It must sting all the more to find out about old friend Patrick Marleau's efforts in recruiting Tavares to Toronto.
Tavares says Marleau talked to him at length about how much he enjoyed playing with the Leafs.
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In falling short on both Tavares and Ilya Kovalchuk, GM Doug Wilson () will have to make do with that he's got. The Pacific Division is still wide open and the Sharks have plenty of talent, but it won't be easy to get over the “what-if.”
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Winner: Buffalo Sabres
Not a bad week for the hard-luck Sabres and their fans. After formally welcoming No. 1 pick Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo general manager Jason Botterillrolled up his sleeves and got to work correcting more of predece sor Tim Murray's mistakes.
The big one came Sunday night, for thereturn Botterillhad been holding out for. PatrikBerglund and VladimirSobotka are capable if unremarkable veterans headed back to Buffalo, but won't factor in much to the long-term plans there. Thereal win came in the form of three future a sets, including the Blues' 2019 first-round draft pick (top-10 protected), a 2021 second and top prospect TageThompson, who St. Louis drafted 26th overall in 2016.
Botterillhad been after a high pick in last weekend's draft rep
