Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares has been at the center of trade rumors this summer, with one notable pitch suggesting a blockbuster deal that would send him to the Seattle Kraken.
Tavares is entering the final year of his seven-year, $77 million contract, which he signed as a free agent in 2018 to play for his hometown team. With Toronto struggling in the playoffs, speculation about his future has intensified.
A recent proposal on PuckPedia’s new PuckGM tool, which allows users to create their own trades, sees Tavares being traded to Seattle in a multi-player deal.
Maple Leafs receive:
– Yanni Gourde
– Jaden Schwartz
– 2025 second-round pick
**Kraken receive:**
– John Tavares
On paper, the trade makes sense for both sides. Seattle would gain a veteran leader to support their young core for one season, with the possibility of re-signing him afterward. However, the trade might be more balanced if the draft pick were going to Seattle instead of Toronto.
For the Maple Leafs, Gourde would be an ideal third-line center, having played a key role in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s back-to-back Stanley Cup wins. Although Schwartz is on a slight decline, he would still add valuable depth as a bottom-six forward for Toronto.
**Tavares Wants to Stay With Maple Leafs**
Despite the trade rumors, Tavares has expressed his desire to remain in Toronto. After the Maple Leafs were eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Boston Bruins, Tavares reiterated his commitment to the team.
“I haven’t put much thought to it, but I mean, I love playing here,” Tavares said at the year-end press conference. “When I committed here six years ago, I saw a tremendous amount of talent and an amazing hockey market. I haven’t accomplished what we’ve been working to achieve, but it’s been an amazing six years for me. Being a Maple Leaf, becoming the captain, is something very special I don’t take for granted.”
Tavares recorded 29 goals and 36 assists for 65 points in 80 games last season. He added 1 goal and 1 assist in 7 playoff games.
**Insider Claims Toronto Contemplating Stripping Tavares of Captaincy**
NHL insider Nick Kypreos recently revealed that the Maple Leafs are contemplating taking the captaincy away from Tavares and giving it to Auston Matthews as he enters the final year of his deal.
“From what I’m hearing, the Leafs are contemplating taking the captaincy away from him and giving it to Auston (Matthews). They will talk about it. I’m not saying it’s going to happen, but it’s real,” Kypreos said on July 1 on Real Kyper & Bourne.
If this happens, Auston Matthews is expected to become the new captain of the Maple Leafs.
The Maple Leafs will open their 2024-25 NHL season on the road against the Montreal Canadiens on October 9.
