Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares has been at the center of trade rumors this summer, with one notable proposal 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 in 2018 to play for his hometown team. As his contract nears its end and given Toronto’s playoff struggles, speculation about his future has intensified.
A user on the website PuckPedia’s new tool, PuckGM, proposed a trade that would see Tavares traded to Seattle in a multi-player deal:
Maple Leafs would receive:
- Yanni Gourde
- Jaden Schwartz
- 2025 second-round pick
Kraken would receive:
- John Tavares
On paper, this trade could work for both sides. Seattle would gain a seasoned leader to guide their young core for a season, with the potential to re-sign him afterward. However, to balance the deal, it might make more sense for the draft pick to go to Seattle rather than Toronto.
For the Maple Leafs, acquiring Gourde would be a strategic move, as he’s proven to be an effective third-line center, having played a key role in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s back-to-back Stanley Cup victories. Although Schwartz’s performance has declined, he could still contribute as a solid bottom-six forward, adding depth to Toronto’s roster.
Despite the trade rumors, Tavares has expressed his desire to stay with the Maple Leafs. After Toronto’s first-round playoff exit against the Boston Bruins, Tavares stated at a year-end press conference, “I love playing here. I think it’s a remarkable place to play. When I committed here six years ago, I saw a tremendous amount of talent and an amazing hockey market and organization that’s fully committed to winning… Being a Maple Leaf, and becoming the captain, is something very special I don’t take for granted.”
Last season, Tavares scored 29 goals and added 36 assists for a total of 65 points in 80 games. He also contributed 2 points in 7 playoff games.
Adding to the speculation around Tavares’ future, NHL insider Nick Kypreos recently claimed that the Maple Leafs are considering stripping him of the captaincy and potentially giving it to Auston Matthews. Kypreos mentioned on Real Kyper & Bourne that “the Leafs are contemplating taking the captaincy away from him and giving it to Auston (Matthews)… It’s real.”
If this change occurs, Auston Matthews would likely become the new captain of the Maple Leafs. The team is set to begin its 2024-25 NHL season on the road against the Montreal Canadiens on October 9.
