John Tavares to the Utah HC? Insider reveals possible details

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Josh tupper
June 10, 2024 (5:38 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking for a change and that may come in the form of a John Tavares trade to the Utah HC.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are exploring all options to improve their roster ahead of next season. The changes to the roster begins and ends with the teams ability to move out significant salary. While most conversations have surrounded the idea of moving Mitch Marner, at least one other NHL Insider believes that John Tavares could be the odd man out.

Tavares is currently in the final year of his 7-year contract, and has shared his hope to remain a Maple Leafs. However, according to Jeff Marek of the Jeff Marek Show, at least one source he has spoken to believes that Tavares could be a target of the Utah HC.

I had a conversation with someone who wondered about a team like Utah and here's why, Utah has a lot of young players, Logan Cooley is an obvious one, Utah is most likely in the business for veteran players on short-term deals and the theory is that they could offer Tavares a pretty healthy number on a 2-yr contract as a why to entice him to waive a no-trade.

In 80 games last season Tavares scored 29 goals and added 36 assists. While Tavares production has tailed off, he is still a highly effective player and good leader. It would make sense that Utah would covet such a player but it's hard to believe even on a 2 year deal that the captain would waive his no movement clause.