The Toronto Maple Leafs have landed the biggest fish in free agency, as John Tavares has agreed to terms on a contract with his hometown team.
Welcome home, @91Tavares. pic.twitter.com/14Weo1ANlS
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 1, 2018
Tavares leaves the New York Islanders, signing a seven-year contract worth $11 million per season.
“I’m thrilled to be starting a new chapter of my career and life in Toronto with the Maple Leafs,” Tavares said in a Sunday morning tweet. “I feel very fortunate to come join a team with a great young core and play where I grew up learning and loving the game. I can’t wait to get started!”
Not everyday you can live a childhood dream pic.twitter.com/YUTKdfMALl
— John Tavares (@91Tavares) July 1, 2018
Tavares narrowed his search to six teams last week, meeting with them at his agency in Los Angeles. But Toronto offered something that New York, San Jose, Dallas, Boston, Tampa Bay couldn’t – a chance to play for the team he grew up idolizing.
— John Tavares (@91Tavares) July 1, 2018
We don’t often see players like Tavares – one of the top centres in the NHL in his prime – move in free agency. The 27-year-old is one of the biggest UFA signings ever.
More to come…