Fansided

John Tavares arrives for Maple Leafs meeting

By Adam Strangis

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 30: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders skates against the Florida Panthers at Barclays Center on January 30, 2018 in New York City. Florida Panthers defeated the New York Islanders 4-1. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 30: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders skates against the Florida Panthers at Barclays Center on January 30, 2018 in New York City. Florida Panthers defeated the New York Islanders 4-1. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs are on the hunt for a player that can get them over the hunt to win a Stanley Cup and John Tavares can fit the bill.

Buckle up Toronto fans because the Leafs have officially entered the fray in the John Tavares sweepstakes. The unrestricted free agent is touring around to a few NHL teams to see where he plays next and it has to be hard to keep a level head if you’re a fan of said team.

Tavares was seen meeting the Maple Leafs brass earlier today.

https://twitter.com/LeafsFansUnited/status/1011380394145538048

The Leafs made the playoffs this past season but couldn’t make it past the first round yet again at the hands of division rival Boston Bruins. Signing Tavares would give Toronto a lethal 1-2 punch at the center position with Auston Matthews. Much like the Pittsburgh Penguins and their combo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeny Malkin, opposing teams would have to try and configure their defense to contain two separate high-end scoring lines.

The Leafs finished second in the East in goals during the regular season with the roster they have currently. Adding Tavares to that mix could really push the envelope and make them a true contender for the Stanley Cup.

From a salary cap perspective, it doesn’t appear to be too difficult to fit in a big money contract like Tavares. Per capfriendly.com, the Leafs have the sixth most space in the NHL with just a hair under $25 million available to spend. Even with other improvements and signings, Tavares should not present any issues.

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There may not be a more passionate fanbase in the NHL than Leafs fans. While it’s still very early in the process, just knowing they have a shot at a game-changing talent has to be heartening. Teaming up with Matthews can’t hurt the pitch for Toronto and neither does having one of the best coaches in the business, Mike Babcock.

The NHL as a league will be waiting with bated breath to see where Tavares ends up. He could wind up in Canada, donning one of the most famous sweaters in hockey.

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