Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares has been at the center of trade speculation this summer, with one prominent proposal suggesting he could be traded to the Seattle Kraken in a major deal. Tavares is entering the final year of the seven-year, $77 million contract he signed in 2018 to join his hometown team. Given the Maple Leafs’ recent playoff struggles, these rumors have intensified as the team looks for solutions to advance further in the postseason.
A new tool on the website PuckPedia, called PuckGM, allows users to create and simulate trades. One user recently proposed a trade that would see Tavares move to Seattle in exchange for multiple players. According to the proposed deal:
**Maple Leafs Receive:**
– Yanni Gourde
– Jaden Schwartz
– 2025 Second-Round Pick
**Kraken Receive:**
– John Tavares
On paper, this trade proposal appears logical. The Kraken would gain a seasoned leader in Tavares, who could provide guidance and experience to their young roster for one season. Seattle might also have the option to re-sign Tavares after the season, further benefiting from his presence. However, it could make more sense for Seattle to receive the draft pick rather than the Maple Leafs to balance the trade.
For Toronto, acquiring Gourde would address a need for a strong third-line center, a role Gourde previously excelled in with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he contributed to two consecutive Stanley Cup victories. Schwartz, although slightly past his prime, would add valuable depth to the Maple Leafs’ bottom-six forwards, improving the team’s overall roster strength.
Tavares, for his part, has expressed his desire to stay with the Maple Leafs. After the team’s early exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs at the hands of the Boston Bruins, Tavares was clear about his intentions. “I haven’t put much thought to it, but I love playing here,” Tavares stated during the end-of-season press conference. He praised the team and the city, reflecting on his commitment to the organization. “When I committed here six years ago, I saw tremendous talent and an amazing hockey market. I haven’t accomplished everything we’ve worked towards, but being a Maple Leaf and becoming the captain has been incredibly special for me,” he added.
In the 2023-24 season, Tavares registered 29 goals and 36 assists for 65 points across 80 games. In the playoffs, he contributed 1 goal and 1 assist in 7 games.
Amidst these trade rumors, there are also reports that the Maple Leafs might consider stripping Tavares of his captaincy. NHL insider Nick Kypreos revealed that Toronto is deliberating whether to transfer the captaincy to Auston Matthews. “From what I’m hearing, the Leafs are contemplating taking the captaincy away from him and giving it to Auston Matthews. They will discuss it. I’m not saying it’s definite, but it’s a real possibility,” Kypreos reported on July 1 during an episode of Real Kyper & Bourne.
If the Maple Leafs do decide to make this change, Matthews is expected to be the frontrunner for the captaincy. The Maple Leafs are set to start their 2024-25 NHL season with an away game against the Montreal Canadiens on October 9.