Sportsnet: Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving said that removal of the captaincy from John Tavares won’t be brought in any contract talks they’ve.
“As I do with any discussion that pertains to contractual status, those will remain behind closed doors,” Treliving said on The Fan Pregame on Wednesday. “These discussions we had with regard to the capitancy is independent of any discussions we could have, or could have, with respect to contract negotiations.”
Treliving thinks Tavares has a lot of hockey left in him.
Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts: The Podcast.
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“Certainly one of the things I feel continues to be in play for Tavares is a possible extension,” Friedman said. “… I don’t think it’s done. And even when it was done, I don’t think they’d overshadow Matthews.
“Nevertheless it’s been discussed, I feel it is going to proceed to be discussed, and I don’t think it’s inconceivable that we see Tavares get prolonged as a Toronto Maple Leaf. I feel that’s something that either side are considering.”
TSN: Chris Johnston on John Tavares and his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Mark Masters: “Now, Tavares’ his contract situation. He’s going into the ultimate yr of his current deal. We all know he loves being here. How much it means to him to be a leaf. Where do things go on that front for him?”
Johnston: “Well, I feel that there will probably be some discussions now about the potential of an extension.
You understand, it’s probably more of a priority for John Tavares and his family. Clearly, he made an enormous move on the time, he moved back to Toronto. When he took that free agent deal, he had numerous other opportunities at that cut-off date. At that cut-off date, he didn’t have kids. Those three kids that were sitting within the front row today, have all been born in Toronto.
I feel it’s very vital on his end of things to try to seek out something that works, and the leafs could have to work through that with them. I don’t get the sense, and he’s close at the moment, but I do think those discussions occur.
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And perhaps that’s the flip side of, , how well he’s handled this, is that it truly is incumbent upon him to be sure this transition goes well. To be sure the team doesn’t suffer. And there might be a brand new role, , barely reduced one, you’d think when it comes to what he’s paid, , where he’s playing within the lineup, and, , wearing an a as an alternative of a C, and all those things.”
