Tavares leaves Isles for Leafs
John Tavares is bidding Long Island goodbye for a chance to play for his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs.
The New York Islanders captain agreed to a seven-year, $77 million deal with Toronto about an hour after the freeagency signing period opened Sunday.
Tavares, 27, was the highest-profile player on the market, and spent last week meeting with the Islanders, San Jose, Toronto, Dallas, Tampa Bay and Boston. By waiting until Sunday, Tavares gave up the opportunity to sign an eight-year extension with the Islanders.
Tavares, whose 306 points over the past four seasons rank sixth among players over that span, was the highest-profile player to hit the market since Minnesota signed Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to matching 13-year,
$98 million contracts.
Tavares’ signing led to a domino effect in player movement.
Toronto lost two forwards in free agency.
James van Riemsdyk left the Maple Leafs after six seasons to return to Philadelphia, where he signed a five-year, $35 million contract. The Leafs also lost center Tyler Bozak, who signed a three-year, $15 million contract with St. Louis, which later on beefed up down the middle by acquiring Ryan O'Reilly in a blockbuster trade with Buffalo.
In exchange for O’Reilly, the Sabres acquired three centers and two draft picks, including a first-rounder in 2019. On top of that, Buffalo also agreed to pay a $7.5 million contract bonus O'Reilly was due by the end of the day.
Heading to the Sabres are veterans Vladimir Sobotka and Patrik Berglund, as well as Tage Thompson, who had three goals and six assists in 41 games as an NHL rookie last season. Buffalo also acquired a second-round selection in 2021. Paul Stastny caused another ripple of moves in the Western Conference. He left Winnipeg to sign a three-year, $19.5 million contract with Stanley Cup finalist Vegas — a spot left open after David Perron returned to St. Louis by signing a four-year, $16 million deal.