The Maple Leafs don't have a backup plan for John Tavares, so with word that Montreal may be targeting him - they have to make sure they have one just in case.
The Montreal Canadiens have been direct this summer and have made it known they still want to add a centre behind Nick Suzuki, and give enough time for Michael Hage to develop and eventually take over that role. But they need NHL-ready players now, and it's led them to contemplate some top names.
The Canadiens are looking for the same position Toronto can't afford to give away
Maxime Truman of Dans Les Coulisses received word that the Canadiens were not only looking at a potential Kirill Marchenko trade, but they could be targeting another Columbus forward in Kent Johnson - but he's not the only name being thrown about.
Truman also mentioned that John Tavares could be a potential option behind Suzuki, and Montreal isn't afraid of pursuing someone big in Toronto, which would give the Maple Leafs' biggest rival a weapon they can't afford to:
[As for] the Maple Leafs, there may be John Tavares who might be of interest to Kent Hughes, but I'm not convinced.
While he's not convinced, you can certainly see how Hughes would at least view Tavares as a potential option. He's 35 yes, but still a top-tier talent who plays a premium position, is able to get you 65-70 points consistently and also provides an immeasurable amount of leadership to the lineup.
But the Maple Leafs, as much as a potential package could help transform the franchise - would be pretty foolish to give up on him out of the blue. Tavares took a deep discount to play out his career in Toronto so a) you're being disrespectful of his loyalty and b) giving up a 70+ point player who makes under $4.5M which is a horrible miscue by Toronto.
Without a real backup plan in mind, the team would be scrambling to find a temporary replacement. Nick Paul could be an option but you lose a large chunk of the offence, and Tinus Luc Koblar is too young and not ready yet to step in.
Plus, any package they get has to improve Toronto more than Tavares would Montreal and that's certainly not a guarantee especially knowing that he's as consistent and reliable a player as can be.
Why would you willingly give away someone so important if you're trying to essentially build a team to help him win in the city he grew up in?
Montreal and Toronto have already shown it will discuss major business however
Though that likely won't stop Hughes from at least approaching Toronto if he feels like Tavares could be an option, and he's not shying away from heated rivalries for the sake of business.
While it was nothing more than speculation, there was a serious feeling that Matthew Knies could have been headed to the Canadiens as they wanted to add some firepower to the lineup while giving themselves a building block for the future.
If there's a feeling that a Toronto player could help Montreal before, they could circle back again. The Maple Leafs should have zero intention of trading Tavares even if there's interest, and should only receive a package that Montreal likely won't pay.
That involves acquiring Hage, possibly Alex Zharovsky as well on top of multiple first round picks, and even potentially a player like Jacob Fowler or Jakub Dobes. This isn't a trade to be taken lightly and if Tavares would be going out then Toronto has to squeeze Hughes dry.
Only then would it be a little more fair, because while Montreal is arguably better now, the Maple Leafs are set up better down the road with not only the pieces they could acquire, but Gavin McKenna, Easton Cowan, and Knies to build around as well.
Toronto and Montreal may be willing to conduct business with each other but the Maple Leafs helping their biggest rival's need without securing Tavares' replacement is playing with fire - and they can't afford to be burned.
Do you think Toronto would ever trade John Tavares?
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