once the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs and a key contributor during his time with the team, may not be part of the club’s future plans—at least according to NHL analyst Jeff O’Neill.
Speaking on OverDrive on June 19, O’Neill expressed skepticism about the idea of re-signing Tavares, arguing that the Leafs’ core group needs a complete overhaul after repeated playoff disappointments.
“Look at the Florida Panthers—they’ve locked in their core, and that’s the standard now,” O’Neill said. “If you’re trying to get over the hump, why prioritize a player just because he’s familiar or respected? There are plenty of respected veterans out there, but that doesn’t mean you just hand them contracts.”
Tavares, the first overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft, has played a significant role for the Leafs, but O’Neill suggests that sentiment shouldn’t outweigh the need for change.
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