this is totally happening

Tavares is worth a lot more than 6.5m. Kopitar just got 10 mil last year. Tav should get at least 8.

Tavares is not leaving the Islanders. Secondly, he wouldn't walk in the room for $6.5M. Stamkos took the $8.5M or so because of the tax situation in Florida. Tavares gets $10-10.5M from NYI.

Tavares knows he aint winning anything in an islanders jersey...he is from toronto as well..he was a fan of the maple leafs..and tavares isnt as good as stamkos...

tavares would love to go to a team that actually has fans...and the arena has actual fans...who wouldn't want to play for a team that will soon be a contender

You really should read a little. He has said COUNTLESS times he wants to stay and will negotiate on July 1st. He is the most loyal player in the league and has strong ties to the NHLPA. Superstars can't take a 35% discount to play. It resets the standard for players contracts that come after them.

Bro, the Leafs won't even want Tavares unless they get him for the original unreasonable price that you had on there, but you changed it. Smart. But the Isles should be able to throw enough money at him for him to stay.

This is terrible use of Money you now have enough to sign either Marner or Matthews and Kapanen is out of the question at this point all so you can keep Bozak and sign a star center when you've already got a younger one in Matthews and Nylander should be able to play 2C by this time. The Leafs don't need Tavares. It would be nice to have him but the salary cap will prevent him from coming home. Hyman is a PK specialist, he's not worth 3M unless the cap spikes in the next couple of years.

I am a big believer in bringing Tavares to Toronto! But I do think that it will take the same type of contract recently signed by Stamkos, $8-$8.5, and feel that if it were to happen it might be more likely to come in a trade before he hits free agency! I also think that you would have to come to grips that paying the 4th line center, whoever that may be $4 million can't work, so a decision has to be made there! There is more cap room than what seemingly appears as Horton hasn't been factored in! That and switching out a more reasonable 4th C should leave you about $10 million to play with.

Tavares is literally stuck on an island... I wonder if Iginla or Doan wish they would have done things differently? Stamkos and Kopitar aren't comparables for Tavares but who is? $8M x 8 seems about right but does that really make sense for a player who will be 28 when that contract kicks in?
If you want to upgrade the team, don't bring back Komarov, Soshnikov, and Bozak. Komarov as a 4th line winger @ $1.5M sure, but way too much money for Bozak and Soshnikov.

And let's be honest about that depth chart, Matthews already appears to be the better player. It's close right now but it won't be when Tavares contract kicks in.

I would love to see Tavares come to Toronto, however I also don't want to blow the bank. I think 9m is my limit. Which probably won't be good enough for him, I don't think he hates long island enough to leave. I honestly think (same with McDavid) they sign extensions (8yrs x 10m) this July 1st

I appreciate what Bozak, Komarov and JVR have done for the Leafs. Come 2018, I don't want them on the Leafs. For the Leafs to improve, they will have to get a combo of younger/cheaper/better players. (Lindberg, Leipsic, Gauthier, Gunnerstrum, Brooks, Kapanen) or other players.
And look that cap with just 20 players....not really cost effective.
And let's not start this silly talk about Tavares. He's from Toronto, but so what? He's an adult, and has can choose anywhere to live. And who knows what his value is in 2018, but you're the reality he has to think what is his value 2026, if he is sign a 7 year contract (with anyone).
Joshelkin: Do you really think what a player/coach/executive publicly has any meaning? C'mon. He's not going to hurt his team, his image or his negotiating power by saying anything negative about the Isles/Brooklyn.

Anything can happen...if Subban left Montreal (even though it wasnt his choice) any player can leave no matter how loyal they say they are...the salary cap wont matter...they will become like chicago and pittsburgh, they wont live by the cap...

Sorry Red, although the Leafs really have no budget, all good teams live by the cap. Pens and Chicago certainly have had a good run, not realistic that Leafs can overpay for 6 players and hope the other 17 fit can make the cap work.