TSN: Darren Dreger on Toronto Maples and pending UFA John Tavares and the way it may play out.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Host: “The fascinating factor Darren is, is that, , we discuss distractions with contracts, however not simply Marner, however Marner, Tavares, and Matthew Knies. Who of his 11 objectives, 10 of them are even power. All three of those guys, the place there, oh, there could be a distraction. All of them are taking part in very well. I might say all three are taking part in above expectations.”
Dreger: “Yeah, I Nicely, they’re definitely taking part in nicely. And possibly, so far as John Tavares involved, he’s taking part in above expectation. However that, to me, is the work that John places in each single day, and he’s been doing that his complete profession.
However it does really feel such as you’re proper, Matt, there’s a special focus right here. And due to that, , the, the execution, the consistency in Tavares’ sport is is true up there with the perfect he’s ever performed, in my view. And he’s totally different than when he first broke into the Nationwide Hockey League.
You understand, once more, like I mentioned with Marner, it’s fairly apparent that, , given a alternative, Tavares would, would select to stick with the Maple Leafs and play out his profession. Completely different bracket, given what he’s incomes at this time on an $11 million flat annual common wage, and what he’s going to make, , transferring ahead.
And , I’m certain that to some extent he desires market worth, however establishing what that’s, is hard, as a result of if he have been to go to open market July 1st, , given the way in which he’s performed, I feel we may envision a contract that far exceeds what the Maple Leafs are going to have the ability to afford to pay Tavares.
So, , look, they’re not going to insult, insult Tavares with, , a one or a two-year deal, I don’t assume, and the cash goes to be truthful. It’s going to be what Toronto can afford. However I feel that there’s additionally going to be a willingness to look past.
You understand, I feel Tavares is at a degree in his profession, Dave appropriate me if I’m improper, the place he’s received to be enthusiastic about, ‘Okay, what am I doing post-career? ‘And in some methods, it form of jogs my memory of the Jason Spezza situation, and, and, and Tavares, in my view, is just like Spezza, in that these guys are hockey nerds, they simply eat hockey 24/7. In the event that they’re not spending time with their household, they’re simply, they’re studying about hockey. And I’m not speaking about, , hypothesis and rumors. That’s not what they’re after. They’re finding out different gamers and taking a look at statistics and all of that.
Nicely, that speaks to a hockey thoughts that most likely isn’t going to go away post-career. Perhaps there’s a chance for John Tavares inside the Maple Leafs administration group. You understand, they’ve executed it earlier than. They’ll do it once more.
So in his case, I feel it’s going to be fascinating to observe it unfold, however I feel it’s extra doubtless he stays.”
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