John Tavares agreed to terms on a seven-year, $77 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday.
The 27-year-old center, who was New York Islanders captain since 2013-14, was selected by New York with the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NHL Draft. He grew up a Maple Leafs fan in Mississauga, Ontario.
"These past six days have been nothing I could have ever expected," Tavares wrote on Twitter. "Making the toughest decision of my life: To stay where I have been my entire career or take a calculated leap of faith into an opportunity that I believe will be special to me and my family."
The Maple Leafs were one of six teams Tavares spoke with in Los Angeles last week, including the Islanders, San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning. The maximum contract he could have received from any team other than the Islanders was seven years; it is believed New York offered him the maximum eight years, and that the Sharks were the other strong contender to sign him.
"I want to thank John Tavares and (agent) Pat Brisson for their interest in the San Jose Sharks and professionalism throughout this negotiation process," San Jose general manager Doug Wilson said. "While we are naturally disappointed in the final decision, it's extremely heartening to know that the top players in this league consistently view San Jose as a place they want to play."
Lou Lamoriello was hired by the Islanders as president of hockey operations on May 22. He spent the previous three seasons as general manager of the Maple Leafs before being named a senior adviser when Kyle Dubas was named GM on May 11. Lamoriello took over as general manager of the Islanders on June 5 after he fired GM Garth Snow and coach Doug Weight. Lamoriello said then that the GM and coaching change had nothing to do with Tavares. Barry Trotz, who coached the Washington Capitals to the Stanley Cup last season, was hired June 21.
But those moves weren't enough to convince Tavares to stay in New York, where he played the 2017-18 season with his long-term future uncertain. He could have re-signed with the Islanders starting last July 1.
In the modern era of NHL free agency, which began in 1995, a No. 1 pick had never chosen to leave the team that drafted him to sign with another.
"The Island has been home, it's what I know, it's part of me, it always will be. I can't thank you all enough for the dedication you have all showed," Tavares wrote. "I'm sorry if this decision pains you, as you can tell it wasn't easy, but have trust in the future because it is bright. The Islanders are in great hands. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to be an Islander for as long as I did. The Island, the fans, the organization, my teammates will always be special to me and my family, but it's time to live my childhood dream here in Toronto."
The Maple Leafs have qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs the past two seasons but have not won a series since 2004 or the Stanley Cup since 1967. They finished third in the Atlantic Division last season (49-26-7) and lost to the Bruins in the Eastern Conference First Round in seven games.
Tavares had 84 points (37 goals, 47 assists) last season and his 621 points (272 goals, 349 assists) rank fifth in Islanders history and first among players who didn't play on New York's four consecutive Stanley Cup championship teams from 1980-83. He led the Islanders in scoring in seven of his nine NHL seasons and has finished no lower than second.
He has scored at least 24 goals in each season and has 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 24 playoff games. He scored in the second overtime of a 2-1 win against the Florida Panthers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference First Round in 2016 to give the Islanders their only playoff series win since 1993.
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