Tavares throws shade at Habs after snubbing them in free agency

No doubt about it, the free agent pursuit of superstar John Tavares was riveting. The former New York Islanders captain was perhaps the most sought after free agent in NHL history and had as many as 15 teams in pursuit of him this past offseason, but ultimately Tavares decided to sign on with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. Prior to inking with the Leafs on July 1st though, Tavares narrowed his list of options down to the Islanders, Leafs, San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars. He met formally with each of these teams to discuss specifics, and politely declined to meet with any other interested teams. Perhaps the team most hurt by Tavares’ refusal to meet was the Montreal Canadiens.

It’s no secret that the Habs are hurting at the center ice position. After years of trying to turn Alex Galchenyuk into a top line center, he was traded. The guy they traded their top prospect Mikhail Sergachev for, Jonathan Drouin, will start the season on the wing. Max Domi, acquired for Galchenyuk earlier this offseason, lasted less than a period at center before getting suspended for the duration of the preseason. As it stands now, the Habs have Philip Danault as their top line center… the need for a player like Tavares is clear. Yet, Tavares elected to sign with the Habs’ biggest rival. Ouch.

Earlier today Tavares commented publicly for the first time on his reasoning behind spurning the Habs and… well let’s just say Habs fans aren’t exactly thrilled with JT19.

Check it out:

John Tavares asked by Richardlabbe and JFChaumontJDM about not meeting with Montreal in free agency. Says he was humbled by all the interest. Adds: “I can only play for one team. I’m not here to make everyone happy.”

Double ouch. How’s that make you feel, Habs fans? 

To be fair, Habs fans were penciling Tavares into their team’s lineup before it was even clear if he would test the free agent market. It’s really no different than when Leafs fans did the same thing with Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Steven Stamkos in 2016. Maybe… just maybe things will work out for the Habs in the summer of 2020? Taylor Hall is slated to hit the free agent market at that time… Habs fans can dream, right?