Maple Leafs Eyeing Top Free Agent as Potential John Tavares Replacement

With John Tavares playing hardball with the Maple Leafs, and the team doing the exact same thing right back, there's a lot of talk over the potential replacement for him if he does decide to head out of town.

While it would be a rough decision and give Maple Leafs fans a lot of pause when considering Tavares' legacy in the city; especially given how vocal he's been about staying. But in case he does walk, the team could look to one pending free agent to replace him, that being Mikael Granlund.

According to NHL Insider Chris Johnston on TSN 1050's First Up program, the Maple Leafs are targeting Granlund as a potential pivot option if Tavares were to walk, and given them being so far apart on contract talks; it's a distinct possibility.

It isn't too surprising to see them targeting Granlund, as the team was certainly interested in him this past trade deadline before he was dealt to the Stars.

With Dallas not having a lot of cap space and needing to make sure some other deals are shored up too, there isn't any room to keep Granlund, especially if he commands a decent salary.

Granlund, 33, wouldn't help the Maple Leafs' aging roster situation but he could certainly help replace a departing Tavares.

He had 66 points this season, only a handful from Tavares' output, and while this season wasn't as great defensively as past seasons, Granlund can still hold his own as Toronto's 2C.

He's also fairly consistent in the playoffs, with 42 points in 77 games which is just a bit below Tavares' production in the postseason; a bit of a shocker considering the discrepancy in their games.

Making $5-million on his most recent deal, Granlund will likely get that amount or perhaps a bit higher on a multi-year contract. Tavares is looking at Brock Nelson levels of money, and Granlund would be a much cheaper alternative.

If Toronto were to pay him $15.5-million for the next three seasons, that's much more than they would be giving Tavares, and allows them to still hold on to a bit of money for other moves or next summer.

It might not be the option that fans want, and they are still hoping for Tavares to compromise and re-sign on better terms.

But it's a pretty good alternative if he decides to follow the money.