John Tavares has squashed a season’s worth of narrative about joining the Toronto Maple Leafs when he hits unrestricted free agency at the end of the season.
The London, Ontario, native has been rumored to join the Leafs at the end of next season, which would be a homecoming of sorts. Tavares wants people to know the hype is unwarranted and he plans to stick with the New York Islanders going forward.
“I would not count on that,” Tavares told Sportsnet’s Andrew Walker of Sportsnet 590 The FAN.
“I think I’ve always showed my commitment, my appreciation and my desire to play on Long Island. I’d love for that to continue for the long haul,” he said. “I think you look at some of the greatest players in the game, they have been able to spend their entire careers somewhere and I hope I’m in that same position.
If Tavares doesn’t have ambitions to join the Leafs, I’m glad he’s squashing what would have been a long, drawn-out rumor mill in Toronto. “Stamkos watch” was painful as Toronto radio stations wouldn’t shut up about the Toronto native returning home. Steven Stamkos debunked those rumors almost immediately in free agency, re-signing with Tampa Bay.
Sorry Leafs fans. Just because an elite player is from Toronto or nearby, it doesn’t mean they want to play in the pressures of hockey’s biggest market. Tavares is comfortable with the Isles and would like to stay there. It’s hard to blame him.
