Fansided

Biggest winners and losers of NHL free agency 2018

By Mackenzie Ingram

TORONTO, ON - JULY 1: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs, poses with his jersey in the dressing room, after he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, at the Scotiabank Arena on July 1, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JULY 1: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs, poses with his jersey in the dressing room, after he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, at the Scotiabank Arena on July 1, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JULY 1 –John Tavares speaks to the media during the announcement.The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed John Tavares for seven years, $77 million.July 1, 2018. (Carlos Osorio/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JULY 1 –John Tavares speaks to the media during the announcement.The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed John Tavares for seven years, $77 million.July 1, 2018. (Carlos Osorio/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

Ultimate Winner: Toronto Maple Leafs

It’s not every day Johnny T. and myself have more in common than our Canadian heritage.

As a Sens fan since 2003 however, admitting the Toronto Maple Leafs were the biggest winners this free agency gives me the exact same look of despair as his photo above.

When the frenzy for Tavares began, it was established that six teams would have a shot to land him, Toronto being one of them.

Topping the fight for Kovalchuck, the battle for John Tavares was closely monitored by hockey fans around the world and even had a duo of NHL-related grandmas partake in the bribing.

Despite the best efforts of five teams and Mary Ann Pavelski, Tavares became one of the biggest signees in Canadian sports history when he declared he would join the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In total, his deal will be worth $77 million across seven years, making him one of the highest earning players in the league.

Justifying the large sum of cash is Tavares’ statistics.

Over the last five seasons, Tavares ranks amongst the top 10 in goals, points and power play goals. Adding to this, of all active forwards in the NHL who have played in at least 600 games, Tavares currently ranks ninth in points per game, with 0.92.

Last season, Tavares played in all 82 games for the New York Islanders and scored at least 33 goals for the third time in four years. In total, Johnny T. finished with 37 goals, 47 assists and 84 points for the 2017-18 season.

Where exactly Tavares will be situated in the lineup is unknown for the time being, but, expect himself and Auston Matthews to get equal minutes on the team, much like the Pittsburgh Penguins managed to do with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Adding to the positive for Toronto, the team will also no longer be forced to deal with Joffrey Lupul’s multi-million dollar contract anymore, ensuring it does in fact have room to re-sign its pile of young forwards.

On a quieter note, the Leafs also signed Josh Jooris, Alex Gudbranson, Jordan Subban and Tyler Ennis to their roster, while they brought back defenseman Martin Marincin. Even with letting Tyler Bozak, Leo Komarov and James van Riemsdyk freely join new clubs, the Maple Leafs are undeniable winners after making one of the biggest moves in free agency history. Should Toronto be able to keep players such as Jake Gardner, William Nylander, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews around beyond next season, it is very possible that Kyle Dubas helped create a team that will wreck havoc on the Eastern Conference for years to come.

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