Toronto’s general manager admits the team overpaid for the veteran center
Dubas says the Leafs were too aggressive in their pursuit of Tavares
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas has acknowledged that the team made a mistake in signing John Tavares to a seven-year, $77 million contract in the summer of 2018.
In an interview with Sportsnet, Dubas said the Leafs were too aggressive in their pursuit of Tavares, who was one of the most sought-after free agents on the market that summer.
We were trying to do everything we could to win a Stanley Cup, and we felt like John Tavares was the missing piece, Dubas said. But we overpaid for him, and it’s been a mistake.
Tavares has not lived up to expectations in Toronto, scoring just 50 goals in 158 games with the team. He has also been a liability defensively, and his contract has been a major drag on the Leafs’ salary cap.
Dubas said the Leafs are now trying to trade Tavares, but they have been unable to find a taker for his contract.
We’re exploring all of our options, but it’s going to be difficult to move him, Dubas said.
The Tavares signing is just one of many mistakes the Leafs have made in recent years. The team has not won a playoff series since 2004, and they have been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in each of the past three seasons.
Dubas said the Leafs are now in a reset mode, and they are trying to build a team that can compete for a Stanley Cup.
We’re going to make some changes, and we’re going to be patient, Dubas said. But we’re confident that we can build a winner here.
Kind regards R. Bauer.
