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Leafs make unconventional play for phenom Tavares

DAVID SHOALTS

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 11:30 AM EST 25/10/07

GM John Ferguson offers up-and-coming superstar a contract to play for the Toronto's farm team, but significant roadblocks suggest it will never fly, reports David Shoalts ...Read the full article

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  1. Matt T from Canada writes: Leafs could afford anyone in the league. A recent article by Forbes magazine stated that the Leafs are the most profitable team in the league. In fact, if you add up the profit of the bottom 26 Teams in the league, The leafs make more.
  2. Moose Lion from Canada writes: Neil B: This would be a headline no matter what team it involved. Do you even know who Taveras is? If you did, I can't imagine how you would say this isn't a worthy news item.
  3. Liberals Steal from Canada writes: Leafs suck.

    Front page news in a paper that aspires to be a National Paper?
    Seriously?
  4. Joe Stanley from Bytown, Canada writes: What a joke, like the kid is going to give up two years of playing in the NHL to play for the Leafs in 2011. JFJ pull your head out of the gas bag and stop trading for deadweight.
  5. Ryan Hickman from Toronto, Canada writes: This is borderline shady and definitely sketchy but if it's legal and legit then why not? The Leafs don't have anything to look forward to and so what if it costs the team mega bucks?...they'd drop it and never miss a dime.

    Could this be a desparation move on JFJ to keep his job?

    I will say this...the pressure on this kid when he makes his debut with the Leafs should it pan out will be unlike anything any player has ever faced.

    I hope he knows what he's getting into!
  6. Duncan McCockenue from Canada writes: Why the hell would a talent like Tavares want to play for a suicidal team like the Leafs? With a) no chance of winning the cup EVER; and b) possibly becoming the Leafs whipping boy when they end up losing as they usually do. It would do the kid a disservice by going to this team; his confidence would be crushed! On the other hand; it would build up his coping mechanisms, and probably add to his ability to provide excuses to the media.
  7. Scottish Gary from Boston, Canada writes: ahh, the smell of desparation!
  8. nigel martin from Canada writes: Can you imagine the uproar if les Canadiens did this with a quebecois junior superstar? Favouratism; Langauge bias; etc

    To me, it's great if a team can find a way to recruit players from within its 'home territory'. There is a stronger sense of fan engagement and even fan ownership.

    I think that every team should be able to protect one player born or raised within a reasonable geographical proximity. So, Florida, Texas and a few others get the short end of the stick. So what? Its not their game. Why, year after year, should we lose the best players we produce here just to feed the greed of a few American owners?
  9. D K from Calgary, Canada writes: Um, most teams, or the ones Tavares would be interested in, are spending near the salary cap. I don't care if the Leafs are the most profitable team in the league - what they can afford doesn't matter when what they can spend is limited. It's a good deal for Tavares if he's not worried about breaking into the NHL at 18. Looking at Gagner et. al., that unlikely. However, if the Collective Bargaining Rules allow, he should require a term that pays him $5M if the Leafs have the opportunity to draft him (i.e., he's still available when their first pick comes up) and don't. But that sort of runaround likely contravenes a rule.
  10. Neil B from The West, Canada writes: We have war, famine, corruption, genocide, unstable governments, climate change, trade, geopolitical tensions, a possible U.S. (and therefore a possible global) recession, among other issues that should make headlines in a paper that claims to be 'Canada's National Newspaper.' To respond to your statement, I do understand the big deal around Tavares, I'm a Canadian after all, and an avid hockey fan. But this is big sports news we're talking about, one that should light up the Sports section. It shouldn't be on the face of banner headlines that over 2.2 M people subscribe to across the country, as well as the hundreds of thousands around the world. But I guess the Toronto-centrism of The Globe will not cease, and to repeat the famous Seinfeld quote, 'that's a shame.'
  11. Drew Diggs from Toronto, Canada writes: Hey Duncan,
    With Tavares on the team it would no doubt improve their chances of winning the cup. The Leafs will be a much different team by 2011. If he is a home town boy and loves the Leafs, that would be his reason for wanting to play. Of course this is all speculation, but by JFJ showing so much interest in the kid, it could entice him to consider it. However, I do not believe that Tavares will take him up on his offer, it's pretty stupid in my eyes. A desperate GM making a desperate plea to save his job, I don't blame him.
  12. Jim K from Canada writes: Neil B. you feel that this shouldn't be front page news yet you have time to read and comment on it? Twice? Why don't you do all your commenting on 'war, famine, corruption, genocide, unstable governments, climate change, trade, geopolitical tensions, a possible U.S. (and therefore a possible global) recession, among other issues'? It's not like the Tavares story is the only link on the front page.
  13. Bill from Port Credit from Canada writes: I doubt it will ever happen so why not give this a stab? If he's really interested in $ then this looks like a good opportunity, since he's capped when he enters the NHL at around 1mn/year. The Marlies could pay him 3 mn and not skip a beat. Then in the 2009 entry draft perhaps the Leafs can make a trade with the team with the first pick (which could be Toronto). Remember he used to play the Marlboroughs organization.

    Additionally, why are Westerners always complaining about the amount of coverage for the Leafs - you clowns account for nearly half the comments regrading the Leafs - proving the GM is right in writing articles about them. If you don't like it, stop reading and they'll stop writing about them.
  14. Trilly B from Canada writes: No harm in extending the offer. But this is a kid who has demonstrated that he's very interested in playing in the NHL at the earliest opportunity. Very doubtful he'd want to play in the AHL for a couple extra years simply to play close to home.

    But hey, can't blame Mr. Ferguson for trying.
  15. Arron D from Stan's Home, Canada writes: Hey, of all the players to throw money at, he'd be my choice too. Think of how well Toews fit into Chi town - If Tavares is even close, he'd be a dream for Toronot.
  16. J Fryer from O-town, Canada writes: This may be borderline shady.. and definitely shouldn't be in the top news articles for the day.. of course, it does belong in the sports section. This is the best move JFJ has tried since he got the job as GM. He HAS to loose his job, but at least he can try to put his name to something positive. Tavares obviously wants to play in the big leagues by asking the league to change the date, and has previously expressed his desire to play for the Leafs. I don't think it will happen, but with today's CBA I would consider this an option the same as Lowe's offer sheets are an option, 'shady' or not.
    Tavares would also likely be drafted by a bottom feeder and I doubt he would get the support of another young tandem, a-la Crosby-Malkin, Toews-Kane, leaving him stuck in the rebuilding blues.
  17. CommonSense L from Ottawa, Canada writes: Jim K. - great point. Neil B. - get a life, this is one small story among a number of stories on the front page and will likely be moved later in the day. If you're so interested in 'war, famine, corruption, genocide, unstable governments, climate change, trade, geopolitical tensions, a possible U.S. recession, among other issues' you have endless information possibilitites available to you on the Internet. Try the Economist, the Atlantic Monthly, or even Macleans, to name just a few. But please, spare us your hollier than though crap and get lost.
  18. Joe Lunchbucket from Canada writes: I wonder who gave ferguson this idea. He's not smart enough to think of it on his own.

    Anyway, like other posters have said, Tavares is a tool if he takes him up on it.
  19. Donald Duck from Ottawa, Canada writes: At first I thought this was crazy talk; but there's no salary cap in the AHL. If he entered the NHL at 18, he'd be subject to the rookie cap. If he signs with the marlies they could pay him more than he would make in the NHL. Then pay him what he's worth to the NHL in 2011. If my understanding of the AHL rules is correct, he'd make more money following JFJ's offer, but he'd be giving up his chance to break 'age' records in the NHL as he wouldn't be playing in the NHL until he was 20. So I guess it comes down to what's more important to him, infamy or money? For the posters suggesting the Leafs will never win a cup again, that's just as stupid as the Toronto posters who say the the Sens will leave Ottawa as soon as they aren't competitive. Leave the predicting to the economists... at least they get paid to be wrong.
  20. JM Work from Quebec, Canada writes: Stranger things have happened in sports BUT....

    BUT why would Tavares do this? Whats his incentive? To play for the disfunctional Leafs organization that has been a perrenial loser for decades now?

    With JFJ orchastrating this, it is doomed for failure. The Leafs would pay Tavares tens of millions of dollar$ with no guarantee of him signing with them after he is a free agent. It would be ironic if the Leafs invested all this money and then Tavares signed with the Senators or Habs as a free agent.

    This would also set a dangerous precedent for the league if other teams tried to play these games with the rules. The Leafs are bottom dwellers and could get burned of a good first round draft choice if players start signing elsewhere.
  21. Casey Circelli from Vancouver, Canada writes: Ridiculous. The most pathetic franchise in hockey sinks to a new low - if there's even a sniff of this being allowed by the NHL and PA (it does violate the spirit and intent of the agreement) 29 other AHL teams are going to offer him something as good or better.
    If that's the case, there'll be at least 22 more attractive possibilities to play somewhere instead of a franchise that just wants to make money instead of win.
    Might as well plan for 2011 now though, at least Ferguson has is on the right track...
  22. Allan Martel from Canada writes: Great to see the Leafs Nation grasping this straw of hope. Now they only have to ait until 2011 to make the playoffs - that's a lot sooner than if Tavares does the logical thing and says 'Thanks but no thanks'. On the other hand, Tucker will be coaching by then and one never knows...
  23. CommonSense L from Ottawa, Canada writes: This is just so typically Toronto - we're not doing well so we're going to go outside the rules. Typical TO arrogance. So what does this do to the draft if Toronto is allowed to circumvent it like this? If Toronto is allowed to do it, everybody will start doing it. Sorry boys, there are no shortcuts to success, no matter how much money you may have in your coffers. Nigel Martin - 'I think that every team should be able to protect one player born or raised within a reasonable geographical proximity.' What, have you been hanging out with Neil B. or something? Dumb, dumb, dumb. So what happens when a Sydney Crosby or other future superstar gets 'protected'. Idiot.
  24. David Winch from France writes: nigel martin from Canada writes: Can you imagine the uproar if les Canadiens did this with a Quebecois junior superstar? Favouritism; Language bias; etc
    ............
    this just in: Canadiens under HoF GM Sam Pollock did it REPEATEDLY,
    including by getting special dispensation from post-expansion draft rules to bring in top 2 French Canadian draft picks -- who turned out to be Rejean Houle and Marc Tardif
  25. Stephen no last name from Montreal, Canada writes: The Leafs are only profitable because their fans don't know when to quit and are blind to the fact that they're team sucks.
    I'll give the Leafs one thing...they're marketing is absolutely brilliant seeing as they are still able to rope in the hopelessly gullible masses to a losing cause.

    No one player, no matter how good, can save this pathetic team.

    Don't put away the golf clubs yet...the Habs shouldn't either (just to make sure that G&M publishes my post...)
  26. B.C. Expat from Ottawa, NCR, Canada writes: How is this particular to Tavares or the Leafs? Any team can 'ask' a player not to sign with the team that drafted him. It has nothing to do with an AHL contract or the Leafs' money.

    It's just that most players would never do it.
  27. IC From the PEG from Canada writes: A slow news day I guess. The Leafs want to sign a young kid who could play for them in four years. Does that mean that Ferguson's job would be secure for the next four years regardless of how poorly the Leafs might do? Ferguson is one of several General Managers in the NHL who are severely challenged by the new salary cap system... they can't go out and buy the best team anymore.. Mind you the Leafs haven't been able to that for almost half a century.
  28. Mindset Mindset from Canada writes: All this really is is an insurance policy for the TML to use against the team that ends up drafting him. What the most likely scenario is the Leafs will make an offer to the team who has the #1 draft choice, and to limit what that team asks for they will fall back on the 3 year contract.

    It’s in everyone’s interest to have this kid play in the NHL as soon as he can. Plus I’m sure the contact will allow the kid to opt out of the contract at anytime. (which no one other than TML and the kid will know about)

    If this works it will set a dangerous precedent in the league, and open a new staging ground for teams to exploit.
  29. Mitchell DesRoches from Canada writes: So, Taveras can sign this deal......get drafted in 2009, decide if he wants to play on whatever team drafts him or play on the Marlies until 2011, become an UFA and sign with whomever??? Am I getting this right or if he signs, does he have to stay with the Marlies until 2011??
  30. Marc DeRocket from Somewhereinlake-erie, Canada writes: I this is a legal move why haven't any other teams tried it for say Crosby.It sounds to me likeanother feeble attempt by John fergusson Jr. to save his job.I am more convinced Dave Shoalts is playing on the feeble minds of the typical Leaf fans by dangling a Taverres carrot in front of the TML Bay St.bandwagon.The whole orginisation is a joke.the addition of one 17 year old kid does not guarentee a Stanley Cup.I am reminded of another kid out of the great hockey factory Oshawa named Lindros who was the deliverer of the Stanley Cup.
  31. Kris Hayward from g-town, writes: David Winch from France writes: nigel martin from Canada writes: Can you imagine the uproar if les Canadiens did this with a Quebecois junior superstar? Favouritism; Language bias; etc
    ............
    this just in: Canadiens under HoF GM Sam Pollock did it REPEATEDLY,
    including by getting special dispensation from post-expansion draft rules to bring in top 2 French Canadian draft picks -- who turned out to be Rejean Houle and Marc Tardif

    Hate to break it to you David, but every orginal 6 team did this.
    Leafs and Boston split up South/Central Ontario, while the other 3 split the west. How do I know as a young man of 36 you ask. My Dad's cousin was offered a contract under by the Bruins said provision in the 60's. But keep up only the Habs did it mentality.

    JFJ's plan will not fly.
  32. Alexander The Great from Canada writes: Go Leafs Go!!! Canada's Team:)
  33. Charles Martel from Vancouver from Canada writes: I suppose this confirms that Toronto is scum. They can;t put a winning team together by playing within the rules so this is the new strategy...why bother with the draft if this is the new approach for the Toronto Rangers?
  34. David J. from Hamilton, Canada writes: Tavares playing in the Leaf organization? He'd have to be a masochist!
  35. Tex Murphy from the TTC from Canada writes: Gee, we all new the Leafs needed to move more towards a youth movement but we didn't know that would mean high school kids.
  36. joe cormorant from Canada writes: JFJ will trade him before he plays in the NHL.
  37. Liberals Steal from Canada writes: Alexander The Great You are a three-time loser.

    A liberal
    A leaf fan

    Nothing you cheer for will win anything for decades, maybe ever!
  38. R A from Canada writes: This move seems a little underhanded as he is trying to bypass the entire draft system. Although I am a Leafs fan and this method would certainly benefit any wealthy hockey team it just doesnt sit right with me....maybe I am misunderstanding what he is trying to do?

    Although this certainly demostrates ingenuity on JFJ's part I think he has to go before they make any more moves.
  39. Scott M from Canada writes: Well this will just tick Brian Burke off to no end. After all he has edmonton pegged to be deadlast in the 2009 draft year and he will not get Taveres. Burky now as new man to hate.
  40. ILS 2007 from Canada writes: The leafs suck. Ferguson is desparate. Why would a potential superstar go play for a piss poor team with fickle fans and divisive media.
  41. Mike Baker from Dublin, Ireland writes: Here's a better idea:

    The Leafs should keep JFJ in his current position as GM until 2009, thus ensuring that the Leafs sink to the very bottom of league standings. Hence bettering their chances of landing Tavares in the draft.

    Cellar dwellers or also-rans ... it doesn't matter one bit. The money machine won't likely take a hit in the meantime.
  42. Slander Us from Toronto, Canada writes: Interesting idea ... but I can't imagine that either the AHL or NHL would be happy with it. For the NHL, it would devalue the draft and circumvent the cap - all while negating the point of the CBA, that is essentially an even playing field. It would give teams with money a way to essentially screw over the rest of the league by signing talent instead of drafting it. For the AHL, it sets a dangerous precedence in terms of salary - they too have an arbitration system, and if Tavares were to put up numbers matched by others, all of a sudden there's massive inflation in AHL salaries (which the NHL, let alone the AHL couldn't survive). Every year a few no-name players that never see the NHL rack up unreal point totals - and with a contract like this, arbitration would result in an NHL salary for non-NHL talent. Not saying this will happen, but it's a realistic possibility. But, I love the message that JFJ is sending out with this move: I can't draft properly, so I'll throw money at a prospect and try to buy him. But, Tavares was bored with the OHL after 1 year - you think he'd stay in the AHL (a league that is at best equal to the OHL, perhaps inferior) playing with a bunch of also-rans, has-beens and wannabes for 3 years? Maybe for 1 year (next), but no way for 3. This reeks of desperation.
  43. Proud Canadian from Canada, Canada writes: So much for the draft. So much for free agency. What Ferguson and the Leafs lack is the ability to see a player somewhere that is good and try to get that player legally. Now they want to circumvent the system to get the best JR player today into their fold 5 yrs from now. Like people said, if Montreal did that in Quebec, all hell would break loose. John, you have no hockey sense, get the hell out of that office, put someone in there with some smarts and the Leafs will be winners in 2 yrs. Without Tavares. Without McCabe, Without Kubina, Without Tucker and more then likely without Sundin. Start from the bottom and work up, u cant build a condo by adding onto the CN Tower.
  44. Robasaurus k from Canada writes: This is what the Leafs need to resort to after trading good draft picks away for a backup goalie and a hit and run drunk driver. Not only one of the worst run franchises in hockey, but the worst franchise in any industry.
  45. Captain William Pike from Canada writes: Desperation? Wouldn't you be in his shoes? Tavares has got to be grinning. I mean they paid a ton to useless McCabe what would they offer a young, very talented player like him? I hope he doesn't get it in his head he'll play with Sundin at some point though (a.k.a. 1 year contract = soon to be traded if no playoff run). But seriously I have to agree that if this was the Oilers or Flames even you would have had to go to the sports page and scroll down to find it. I wouldn't mind putting this story in if it looked like he would be the difference of winning or not winning the cup but just to get a player to help them from the gutters? I predict 3-peat. 3 years without a playoff berth.
  46. Jake ---- from Canada writes: I see there is alot of jealous hockey fans out there who obviously support a different Canadian hockey team. Is this situation any different then the Pens stealing Malkin from the russian elite league. I don't think so. The problem with leafs is they care about winning so much that they will do what ever it takes to bring cup back to where belongs. I mean the Edmoonton oilers are just as bad letting their heart and soul go last season. Or how about the Canucks letting Brian Burke go that really worked out well. I mean for Aneheim. So to all you leaf bashers out there take a look your team before you start judgeing others.
  47. John Howard from Canada writes: This is nothing new. European soccer clubs routinely sign youth (school-boy age) to contracts to play in their youth academies. This system had proven quite effective at grooming players for the professional ranks. The concept of draft is really more of a North American idea.

    At one time, the Canadians did have exclusive rights to any player coming from Quebec.
  48. Kevin Desmoulin from TO, Canada writes: It would be good to have thus guy play for the leafs but it more a bunch of what ifs and 3 years is a long time. The leafs need help now.
  49. Derek Holtom from Swan River, Canada writes: Just another reason for people to hate Toronto.
  50. David P from Calgary via Vancouver, Canada writes: Did anybody watch this kid when he played in the super series? Or notice that he was cut from the WJC team? He may be great in Oshawa, but when he plays with the elite in his category, he can't play at the top level...JFJ and MLSE have shown they have more money than brains...he couldn't play for Sutter, a demanding coach who expected top performances from ALL his players...what makes anyone think he'll play well for any coach who is tough and demands top performances - Vigneault, Therrien, Nolan, any Sutter, Hitchcock, Keenan, Crawford, Quenville, Carlyle, Babcock - oh wait, that's almost 1/2 the league...maybe he should go play for the Marlies - he can get paid millions to be a minor leaguer...
  51. Proud Canadian from Canada, Canada writes: Jake, if Montreal did that to a Quebec player, you would be livid. Just because its YOUR Leafs, you are happy. And the cup belongs where the team that won it takes it. It hasnt been in Toronto for years, it is not lonely for Toronto, trust me, ask the cup. It goes wherever the best team wins it. Another thing, you have a 1 man team there right now, you think a 1 man team with Tavares is going to cut it????? Right
  52. bill Bill from kingston, Canada writes: I have a question for the leafs fans.

    Giving that this is honestly not within the spirit of the rules and how teams agreed to function, how can someone be proud of such a move?

    This team is telling its fans base and the rest of hockey world that, as we are not able to built a team that can win, we will do it by using some trick to go around the rules and playing not fair to get some good player. We will get it with money, because its the only thing we can afford to have.

    How can a leaf fan (and so a hockey fan) can be proud of that, and say: hey, that's a nice idea.

    It's just a shameful idea, with a loser mentality behind it. You want a winning team, built it by the rules, like everybody does.

    I ask anybody who likes that idea, leafs fan or not, to defend that position and tell me how it is not a loser move...
  53. Paul B from Canada writes: If JFJ can pull this off it would be the most brilliant move of his GM career, (not saying much given his track record). For those crying foul, cheating...it appears by reading the story that this move is not breaking any rules/guidelines currently in place.
    As a result of this move, however, I'm sure the league will implement changes in the future putting a stop to this sort of move by any team, not just the Leafs.
    What many of you non-Leaf fans don't understand is that, Taveres is a local boy and if there is only one team that could pull this off with him, the Leafs given their financial position and allowing a young man to stay close to home and family. I'd say he is worth about McCabe's money in this organization.
  54. Slander Us from Toronto, Canada writes: Jake - this isn't about Leaf-bashing (well, for those that have some level of maturity). It's about what's healthy for the NHL. Fans of the NHL should be worried if this pans out - it would do a lot of harm to the draft and to the AHL as a whole. Are you strictly a fan of the Leafs, or a fan of hockey and the Leafs? If it's the latter, then you'd have to agree this would be bad for the sport. As for the Malkin comparison, you're missing one very importnat fact: the Pens DRAFTED Malkin, they didn't try any questionable tactics to circumvent the NHL's rules. Plus, what he did in Russia is legal under Russian law - he gave 2 weeks notice and left (which any player can do). And because the Russian Federation didn't sign the IIHF transfer agreement, they were upset this happened. But no rules were broken, the draft wasn't circumvented and it didn't create an inflationary reaction. So, apples and oranges.
  55. D G from Canada writes: Desperate move by a desperate GM on a desparate team. Is this all that is left of a great Maple Leaf legacy? Pitiful.
  56. Neil no more last name from Canada writes: Here we go...another Leafs article, with well over half the comments coming from non-leafs fans. And a chunk of those complaining about excessive Leafs coverage in the G&M.

    Don't you get it - the leafs articles consistently get the most comments.
    That means more eyeballs, which means more advertising revenues, which means more Leaf articles. I work for a website, I know how it works.

    And this from the same people who tell Leaf nation to boycott the leafs if we ever want to see them win the Cup.
    The same applies...boycott the articles and the commenting, start commenting on your own team...and you'll see the number of leaf articles drop.

    But of course you, like myself, can choose to read, pay, cheer, or dis whoever and whatever you like.

    AS for the move - JFJ should probably be fired by x-mas. Tavares won't be signing with the Marlies and he certainly won't be playing for the Leafs.
  57. Tex Murphy from the TTC from Canada writes: Jake.. yea, all the rest of us who are fans of Canadian teams are so jealous the leafs haven't won on 40 years and are recruitng kids. Actually, what wer are is embarassed that the leafs have our national symbol on their sweaters.
  58. Proud Canadian from Canada, Canada writes: Another thing, see the Leafs have no regard for Jr hockey. Rinks fill with Tavares there. But who cares. And the Marlies, they cant draw a crowd, u think with Tavares there they will do better. Its all Toronto again, Money, money money. Who cares. Only Toronto has money. And why should 29 other teams suffer because of that. There is a policy in place for equality, let it be. If you qualify or blow games to get Tavares, then u get him. Meanwhile, play fair with all. Again, Montreal or any other Canadian team did that, no matter where Tavares lives, that is not a topic, but if anyone else did that, screaming from Toronto. Its their nature, scream. But if its for them happy. Dumbos if I ever knew a city full of them.
  59. P McLean from Canada writes: All this talk about 'questionable tactics', etc. is nonsense. The blame for all this lies in the silly Sept. 15 birthday deadline. To wit: On Sept. 20, 2008, John Tavares will be an adult who is restricted in his ability to earn a living. How many of you would have stood for somenoe telling you hey, I know by law you should be hireable, but because your birthday is x, I actually can't hire until next year because we got this rule for our business? So John Tavares can make a lviing playing hockey. The NHL though says it doesn't want him until the year after, depriving him of one of relatively few years to earn a substanial amount of money. SO Tavares can play in Europe, or he can play in the AHL. Either way, he's earning a living, which is legally entitled to do. He will no doubt still be drafted #1 in 2009( a year less 45 days older than Crosby was when he was drafted btw), but Tavares is under no obligation to sign with that team. And considering the league wants to hold firm on this silly Sept. 15th rule, he should refuse to sign. Crosby, et al. could not do this because they were never in a situation where a hockey season where players were getting paid was underway, yet despite being age of majority were told they could not earn a salary due to some arcane arbitrary date. Tavares went to the NHL and asked politely if they would change the date/make an exception. They had the choice to say yes/make the change. They did not . NOw they have this on their hands. It's basic labor law. Throw out the money, the fact that he is 'playing' hockey(it is work, no matter what you think), and lose the envy of professional athletes. You wouldn't stand for this in your own job. Neither is Tavares. What is it about the 2 months that makes Crosby able to play at 18, but Tavares isn't?
  60. Jake ---- from Canada writes: Slander Us from Toronto I agree with your comments and yes I am a fan of the game. But you have to undersatand that the leafs will try year in year out to win the cup. They will never settle for a last place team in order to have a chance at a first overall pick. So in my mind this is the only way they will be able to get a first overall pick. The leafs Lawyers must have looked at the new CBA and found a loop hole which happens all the time in law. It is all about interpretation of the rules, the NHL will fight tooth and nail to try and stop this happening. But I won't be upset if this kid straps on skates for the leafs.
  61. Wally Grisold from Toronto, Canada writes: I don't know why JFJ is so anxious to sign Tavares, The way the Leafs are going they are going to get the 1st pick in the next 3 or 4 drafts anyway.
  62. Proud Canadian from Canada, Canada writes: Toronto has lots of money. Examples. McCabe, claim to fame, shot from the right point. Oh hell give him 30 million. Example Kubina. Claim to fame??? Give him 15 million. Tucker, Claim to fame stand beside net and deflect shots. Give him 20 million. What are those bafoons doing today? McCabe, he's standing with his elbow on the goal post watching pucks go in, or deflecting them in, Kubina, he has no idea what he's doing all the time, Tucker, well he's fallen off the flat plate called earth now is back at the cottage nursing his knee. There is a salary cap, Tavares will take most of it, what are you doing with the rest of the team, here's 5 burgers and a pepsi, pay for the year??
  63. dale spinx from Canada writes: Neil no more....

    amen
  64. sonny l from Tranno, Canada writes: Oh yeah! The angry Leaf (and Toronto) haters are foaming at the mouth! It must drive them nuts that we leaf fans don't jump ship. Why don't we?

    We would rather support a losing team that never wins than a winning team that always loses!

    What's up Ottawa? You guys are looking good this year!
  65. D I from Toronto, Canada writes: Maybe if JFJ hadn't traded away all the leafs draft picks for two goalies and Blake he would have more options on the table than just this one. I don't think the issue with the Leafs is that JFJ is an incompetent or crappy GM (maybe he is) because nothing will ever change no matter what GM takes his place until the club's ownership gives a crap about winning and not the bottom line. How can a team like the Flyers retool in a year, the Ducks retool and win the cup in 3 yrs, yet the leafs can't even make the playoffs over the past 3 yrs! Soon to be 4 yrs!! So until more people boycott the Leafs like I have and empty seats start showing up at games, nothing will ever change for this doomed hockey team.
  66. Jim Sentance from Charlottetown, Canada writes: Everyone seems to be overlooking a very salient point in this - the way the Leafs are going at the moment, they stand a very good chance of getting to draft Tavares when he becomes eligible anyway. So why bother with the end run?

    Unless JFJ has already traded that draft pick away?
  67. Alexander The Great from Canada writes: Liberals Steal from Canada writes: Alexander The Great You are a three-time loser.

    A liberal
    A leaf fan

    What's the third one? can't count?

    You should be happy the leafs found a loop hole...the conservatives love loopholes!!! Just like the election campaign spending scheme.
  68. Bruce Spence from Toronto, writes: Liberals Steal, ..... It is you who Sucks Big Time !
  69. Proud Canadian from Canada, Canada writes: Watch later this year when they deal Sundin. Watch what they get for him. I have no idea when and whats going to happen, but you can be assured, if JFJ is in the drivers seat at the trade, the Leafs are going to get screwed. And when the deal is done, JFJ will hand out another 20 million to those players sight unseen. Not even a medical. Watch, its going to happen.
  70. Shane DeMerchant from Canada writes: As a Toronto fan it pleases me to no end that all other Canadian hockey fanatics have to relate their teams back to the leafs. Maybe the globe does print more about the leafs but that is only because Toronto has more fans than all of the rest. Plus that doesn't explain why this post has 60 comments in less than an hour when all of the sens boards have 45 comments going back almost a week. All other fans (at least in the east) have to define their teams according to Toronto, when leafs fans really couldn't care less about the others.
  71. bill Bill from kingston, Canada writes: Paul B, you pretend that it seems to be by the rules, and so it would be brilliant, but then you say that the nhl would probably change the possibility of doing 'that kind of move'

    You say it yourself, it's not good. end of the story, it smells bad. I agree that the rules allow that. And I also know a lot of people trying to find every year ways to avoid to pay tax as well.
    What you don't understand is that the choice you have is to take the convention word by word, or you can read it keeping in mind the intention of the ones who drafted it. For tax, I dont care. But for sports, please, lets not get the lawyers into that business. This is legal, but smelly, not honourable, and typical of a loser mentality (leafs are not loosers, but that move would certainly be).

    As for Neil, about your comment about leafs articles getting the biggest number of comments, I dont live in the west, so I dont know for them, but you dont have to be a genius and you dont have to be from Quebec to see by your own eyes that 3/4 of the habs fans are french-speaking, so they don't even read the G & M...But usually, lets say they are the kind of fans to be a bit noisy...
  72. Devil Bud from not Ottawa, Canada writes: To the Leaf haters out there: do you just sit by your computer and wait for an article about the Leafs to pop up so that you have a Soap box to shout from or what?

    First off, this is more interesting from a hockey-legal perspective than worrying about the Leafs. The fact that it was JFJ makes it all the more interesting, simply because I have always thought of him as an idiot, but would sell his wife if she could fetch enough. However, this is a brilliant idea. Aside from setting a horrific precedent, which would change the business of hockey, it is genius. The fact that the loophole exists is hilarious, from a legal perspective. On the other hand, I think JFJ just outed Tavares, because he won't take the deal. If the kid really thinks that he is the real deal, then sign the 3 yr. deal, you'll have 1 yr. of AHL that would have been OHL and then 2 more getting paid huge bucks. Unfortunately, this kid isn't really interested in playing Pro, he wants instant stardom and all the glory that comes with playing in the NHL. Lebron II.

    So don't worry Sens fans...Chirp, Chirp.
  73. Neil no more last name from Canada writes: Spinx...

    Thank you
  74. D I from Toronto, Canada writes: Shane DeMerchant - does it not bother you one bit that they haven't made the playoffs in 3 yrs going on 4 yrs and haven't seen a cup in several decades and the prospects of the Cup coming to Toronto anytime soon are pretty slim. If most Leafs fans are like you, it would explain why the seats are sold out every game yet the teams continually loses. You don't care if they're losers, you just care about the status of being a Leaf fan. lol
  75. John Deckhardt from Halifax, Canada writes: If a team like Detroit had tried this with Crosby, Leaf fans would have hit the proverbial roof - screaming 'CHEATERS' from on high. But because it is the blue and white doing it - it is merely a loophole.

    So, what now any team with $$$ can approach a skilled player and take them out of the draft??? That will do wonders for parity in the league.

    Besides why would Tavares choose to sit out from the NHL until 2011 when he could play in 2009?
  76. asm oak bay from Canada writes: Interesting. Pay the player to opt out of the draft. Make it lucrative for him to do so and contract into the agreement the Leafs right to match any offer he gets once he's 21. In the meantime, assuming AHL out of bounds, send him off to Europe or pay the money into a trust fund and send him into the US college game. Assuming he's willing of course. While no longer a Leaf fan and one who has come to despise the franchise, smart move on Ferguson's part. i give him credit.
  77. Shane DeMerchant from Canada writes: D I from Toronto Status? What status comes from being a leaf fan. If anything it comes with constant berating about how much the team sucks. And of course it concerns me that they have sucked the last couple of years but that doesn't mean that I inherently become a sens fan just because the team is poor.
  78. Tex Murphy from the TTC from Canada writes: Sonny writes: We would rather support a losing team that never wins than a winning team that always loses!

    Sonny, I think you speak for all Leaf fans. You don't say anything sensible but you speak with conviction. Keep supporting losers... someone has to.
  79. John Deckhardt from Halifax, Canada writes: BTW, how many of you really think that this was JFJ's idea? Doesn't it seem way above his ability?

    This is like saying Bush came up with a way to invade Iraq...........
  80. bill Bill from kingston, Canada writes: For the ones being impress by Ferguson, don't be naive, you can be sure that that idea was coming from his team of lawyers.....
  81. Adam Yaworski from Ottawa, Canada writes: To be honest does it really matter as the Leafs seem to be headed for the basement anyways they have a pretty good chance of getting the first selection in the draft.
  82. Drew Diggs from Toronto, Canada writes: D I, just thought you should know that the Leafs have missed the playoffs the last two years, not three. This year would be the third in a row if the happen to miss the playoffs again. The last time the Leafs were in the playoffs was 2002, thats one of the four years that they spanked the Sens first round :).
  83. Walt Cummings from Canada writes: John Deckhardt, thank you for presuming to speak on the thoughts of all 'Leaf Nation'....it's comforting to know that other than God, you can presume to know what an entire people are thinking.
  84. D I from Toronto, Canada writes: Shane DeMerchant - never said for you to become a Sens fan. I just chose to watch hockey because I love the sport and not pay any attention to this loser franchise being run by bafoons. Unlike you, their performance and the way the team is run by idiots only ocncerned about generating millions in profits has turned me right off of them. There is only so much absude a RATIONAL fan can take. Obviously you don't fall into that category if your only pleasure of being a leaf fan is watching other people loath them because they have the most fans. Get a clue, you're part of the problem in this city of why they are continually losers year after year. Until you demand better you're going to get more of the same.
  85. D I from Toronto, Canada writes: Drew Diggs - lockout counts in my book. :o) I don't recall watching blue and white skating in May
  86. Michael Rosen from Toronto, Canada writes: This makes no sense what JFJ is trying to do. The Leafs are probably going to finish last over the next couple of years with McCabe leading the defense and two lousy goalies and Sundin retiring soon. They will probably get first choice in the draft.
    Keep JFJ as GM and first choice is almost guaranteed.
  87. John Deckhardt from Halifax, Canada writes: Walt,

    I have been called God before but it's usually by the opposite sex and is preceded by OH! - LOL

    My comments are based on what I've been reading in the comments above and the Leaf fans I know - most of whom seem to have the same mentalit

    Oh and BTW - Leaf Fans are a people now? Do they have special status like the First Nations or Quebec too?
  88. Clark The Mighty from Canada writes: Desperation move by jfj.

    I love it!

    Make things happen!
  89. John Deckhardt from Halifax, Canada writes: ooops sorry that word is mentality.............the 'y' went missing
  90. D I from Toronto, Canada writes: John Deckhardt - yes, they're called Leafs Nation...they do have status, they afforded the opportunity to pay $4/month to subscribe to the Leafs TV to get the exclusive chance to watch them lose while the other 'normal' folk in the country have to hear about it on TSN. Most other teams allow the privledge for free. This year it's over 20 games, next year it'll be 40. Money keeps rolling in, so who cares about winning.
  91. bob smith from Canada writes: Stupidest thing I ever read. There is no way the league would approve the rule change. You are asking 29 other owners to change the rules so you can raid the best non-NHL player on the planet? Good luck. Add to this the fact that Tavares' agent would not approve of this plan unless the bidding was open to all teams, not just the Leafs. That gives more incentive for the league to vote down the change as the poorest teams (many of whom will have the best change to draft Tavares in 2 years) know they have no chance in said bidding war. I have also discounted the chances that the Leafs will draft Tavares themselves in a couple years. They will likely trade their first round picks for some more 3rd line depth.
  92. Drew Diggs from Toronto, Canada writes: I dont think that the Leaf owners are only concerned with making money and not winning. If im not mistaken I can remember some pretty impressive Leaf teams that could have won the cup but fell just short. Some of the years that come to memory are the ever popular 93' team, the 99' team and 02' team. Two of those teams made it to the semi's and were seemingly upset in the end, the 02' team lost to the Devils in the quarter finals and held a 3-2 lead coming home. They hit two posts early in the game and ended up losing a close one. The Devils went on to win the series and the cup, but I really believe the Leafs were a better team that year. The only problem is that now the Leafs management is stuck in a salary cap system that they have yet to learn or may never learn how to work with. People bash the team now because times have been rough the last few years. I advise them not to worry, things will turn around and this team will be competitive again. Please try not to forget the many exciting runs the Leafs have had in the playoffs within the last decade or so. IT'S REALLY NOT THAT BAD! The Toronto people just like hearing themselves talk and by bashing the Leafs, they fill some demented appetite they have for negativity. PS: I may be mistaken on the exact dates.
  93. Dijer Dije from Ottawa, Canada writes: If, and its a big IF, the Leafs can pull this off, it would be just wow... they would probably start rebuilding and by 2011 could be near the tops in the East.

    I doubt this will work though, and as some have mentioned above, MLSE and Leaf fans will not tolerate any kind of a re-building phase.

    If this move fails, will it spell the demise of JFJ?
  94. Walt Cummings from Canada writes: Of course John, because as you know, the Leafs fans who post on the Globe and Mail are indicative of the entire Leaf fan population.

    Yes, the 'y' went missing just like you're good sense.
  95. D I from Toronto, Canada writes: Drew Diggs - your info is so wrong I'd have to write a 4 page article to set you straight. To respond short and sweet - how can you think for one second that the OTPP invested in the leafs for any other reason than to MAKE MONEY. You think the biggest pension fund in the country invested in the MLSE for the free tickets? They own half the real estate in the province and now BCE, so why would their in