Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares has been injured and taken to the hospital.
Ten minutes into the first period of the first game between the Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens, Tavares fell to the ice after a hit from Ben Chiarot. Then the bad hit happened.
By Peter Hassett 2 years ago
Washington Capitals 2019 first-round pick, Connor McMichael, was one of eight Team Canada players that were honored before the start of the Toronto Maple Leafs-Winnipeg Jets game on Wednesday.
McMichael, along with Kevin Bahl (ARI ’18), Nico Daws (’20), Ty Dellandrea (DAL ’18), Jamie Drysdale (’20), Aidan Dudas (LAK ’18), Liam Foudy (CBJ ’18), and Akil Thomas (LAK ’18), dropped the ceremonial first puck between Jets captain Mark Scheifele and Leafs captain John Tavares.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been without a captain since Dion Phaneuf was traded to the Senators in 2016. Until now. As the Leafs opened their season at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday, John Tavares was announced as the 25th captain in franchise history.
Tavares’ appointment as captain was announced to expectant fans as the lineup for the Leafs was introduced on the ice.
By Donya Abramo 3 years ago
Last summer, John Tavares made a free agency splash when he left the New York Islanders, the team that drafted him, in order to pursue his childhood dream of playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Islanders fans were miffed. When the Leafs traveled to play the Islanders earlier this season, Islanders fans chanted “we don’t need you” and burned their Tavares jerseys en route to a 6-1 whooping of the Leafs.
But Tuesday night, the Leafs got their revenge with a 2-1 win, which clinched their spot in the playoffs. Tavares scored the game-winning tally.
Less than one minute after his goal, Tavares served a slashing penalty on Matthew Barzal. An irate Islanders fan next to the penalty box unloaded on Tavares in a rant worthy of a Dear John video.
By Julia Karron 4 years ago
You guys, the NHL goals race is getting uncomfortably tight.
A week after Alex Ovechkin was projected to be the only player to hit 50 goals this season, John Tavares and Leon Draisaitl had career-best games on consecutive nights, narrowing the Russian machine’s goal lead.
By Elizabeth Kong 4 years ago
John Tavares signed a 7-year $77 million contract over the summer with the Toronto Maple Leafs, leaving the New York Islanders, the only organization he ever knew, for his favorite team growing up as a kid.
Islanders fans hand an opportunity to show their appreciation for JT’s nine years on Long Island on Thursday. Instead, they burned his jersey at a tailgate, threw snakes at him during warmups, booed him during the entirety of the team’s tribute video, and chanted awful things such as Asshole, We Don’t Need You, and You’re A Liar. The Leafs were routed in Tavares’ homecoming game 6-1.
Saturday night, the Leafs returned home to Scotiabank Arena. In an emotional moment, fans gave Tavares a loud standing ovation after he was announced during starting lineups.
Former New York Rangers heel Sean Avery is a noted jerk. Avery was voted one of the most hated men in hockey by the players. He started an infamous beef with Martin Brodeur over commenting on Brodeur’s 2003 affair, calling the Hall of Fame goaltender a “homewrecker.”
Avery also got a rule in the rulebook named after him by facing Brodeur and waving his stick in his face during a powerplay.
So it’s no surprise that Avery had some controversial words for Islanders fans after their treatment of former captain John Tavares, including burning jerseys and throwing snakes on the ice.
Avery addressed Islanders fans in his Instagram story.
By Julia Karron 4 years ago
After spending nine seasons on Long Island, John Tavares became an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2017-18 season. The New York Islanders did all they could to bring their captain back. They hired general manager Lou Lamoriello and brought on Stanley Cup-winning coach Barry Trotz. They offered Tavares a lot of money.
Instead, the star center spurned the Islanders, signing a 7-year, $77 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Islanders fans did not handle this turncoat behavior well. Eight months later, they finally had a chance to voice their displeasure as the Toronto Maple Leafs played at Nasseau Coliseum. Isles fans showed they had very long memories.
By Ian Oland 4 years ago
This biggest signing of free agency has just happened. Elliotte Friedman has reported that superstar John Tavares will sign a seven-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The deal is worth $11 million annually.
By Peter Hassett 5 years ago
Wednesday night was a very busy day in the NHL. 30 of 31 teams were in action with the Thanksgiving holiday approaching.
And in those 15 games there were some very entertaining moments.
By Cara Bahniuk 5 years ago
