Insider believes John Tavares should be demoted season with the Maple Leafs
An insider believes that current Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares should be demoted to a different role for the upcoming season.
When John Tavares signed a massive 7 year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1st, 2018, it was met with mixed emotions. Was he going to hold up? Did he get more money than he was worth? For the first 5 seasons of his contract, he generally lived up to the price tag he carried. Last season however, his production slipped and his foot speed slowed. This prompted the Leafs to move him down to the 3rd line.
Recently on the Leafs Nation podcast, long-time NHL Analyst and insider Pierre McGuire opened up about how he believes Tavares should move down to the 3rd line permanently.
- Pierre McGuire on John Tavares' role moving forward
Tavares, 33, played in 80 games for the Maple Leafs last season while his production did slip a bit. He scored 29 goals and added 36 assists for a total of 65 points.
I don't always agree with Pierre McGuire, but on this is makes sense, the Leafs tried it out last season, if you shelter his minutes a tad, he can still be a productive player in the 3 hole down the middle.
Statistics - Hockey Reference
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 22 | 82 ANSWERS Insider believes John Tavares should be demoted season with the Maple Leafs Do you think the Toronto Maple Leafs should demote John Tavares? | ||
| Yes | 32 | 39 % |
| No | 26 | 31.7 % |
| His decline is starting | 11 | 13.4 % |
| The 3rd line is where he should be | 13 | 15.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530544.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
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