<p>Well, &#8220;creation of Canada&#8221;, you had a solid 151-year run as the main reason to celebrate July 1st but I&#8217;m afraid all good things must come to an end and be replaced by better things. Today we celebrate the two-year anniversary of John Tavares coming home.</p>
<p>Tavares leaving the Islanders to sign with the Leafs was one of the most shocking events in NHL free agency history. For Leafs fans, it was sweet vindication. For years this fan base has heard it from other fans, saying &#8220;Leafs fans think every player is going to Toronto!&#8221;, and for the most part they were right: we went through this with Brad Richards, Rick Nash, Steven Stamkos, and various other big names over the last decade and a half with none of them donning the Maple Leaf. For a long time, the Leafs were in the position of being that person someone flirts with to get their partner to become jealous. Never a true threat, just a decoy.</p>
<p>John Tavares changed all that.</p>
<p>Elliotte Friedman&#8217;s reporting on <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/john-tavares-maple-leafs-free-agency-story/">How the Leafs signed John Tavares</a> is a fascinating read. The article details how the free agency pitch meetings were run, lessons learned from two years prior when the Leafs unsuccessfully pitched Steven Stamkos, what the Leafs&#8217; approach was this time around, how they put the ice back in at the Air Canada Centre to film Mitch Marner&#8217;s on-ice theatrics, and the moment the night before free agency when Tavares phoned Leafs GM Kyle Dubas:</p>
<p><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-63277 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/07/Screen-Shot-2020-07-01-at-1.58.13-AM.png?resize=734%2C192&#038;ssl=1" alt="" width="734" height="192" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/07/Screen-Shot-2020-07-01-at-1.58.13-AM.png?w=734&amp;ssl=1 734w, https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/07/Screen-Shot-2020-07-01-at-1.58.13-AM.png?resize=300%2C78&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px" /></p>
<p>The news predictably set the Isles fanbase on fire. Really, it was kind of understandable: the pain of losing your cornerstone player for nothing is real. But for some Isles fans it became personal and vicious. Despite being the noble face of their franchise for 9 years, Tavares was vilified as a &#8220;snake&#8221;, infantilized by the nickname &#8220;pajama boy&#8221; and had his social media mentions overrun with insults and videos of people burning his jersey. He was even the subject of <a href="http://longisland.news12.com/clip/14769996/dear-john-returns">one of the most cringeworthy videos you will ever watch</a>, released just before his first return to The Island as a Maple Leaf. I&#8217;ve never successfully watched the entire thing in one sitting.</p>
<p>Isles fans also tried to convince everyone they didn&#8217;t need John. The chant &#8220;we don&#8217;t need you&#8221; rained down upon Tavares in that first game (an Islanders win) back at Nassau Coliseum. Isles fans pointed to their finishing the 2018-19 season with a whopping three more points than Toronto as the main evidence for this. But hold up: are you telling me they wouldn&#8217;t have benefitted from having John Tavares on their team that season? It was obvious to anyone with two eyes that the Isles successes that season were the result of the Barry Trotz Effect, in which an extremely talented coach instilled a stifling defensive system to make up for his team&#8217;s lacking offensive talent. Trotz&#8217;s system helped elevate Robin Lehner and Thomas Greiss to Goalie God status, finishing the season 2nd (0.930) and 3rd (0.927) respectively in save percentage. The Isles made the playoffs with the second-least goals for and least goals against: they were a low event, disciplined team who played to their strengths and bought into Trotz&#8217;s system.</p>
<p>But again I say&#8230; wouldn&#8217;t the Trotz-helmed Isles have benefitted from having this offensive beast on their team for the last two seasons? Logic says one thing, Isles fans another.</p>
<p><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-63278 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/07/Screen-Shot-2020-07-01-at-1.06.21-AM.png?resize=601%2C701&#038;ssl=1" alt="" width="601" height="701" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/07/Screen-Shot-2020-07-01-at-1.06.21-AM.png?w=601&amp;ssl=1 601w, https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/07/Screen-Shot-2020-07-01-at-1.06.21-AM.png?resize=257%2C300&amp;ssl=1 257w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 601px) 100vw, 601px" /></p>
<p>But enough about Isles fans. In his 145 games as a Maple Leaf, Tavares has provided us with lots of great memories. Here&#8217;s a listing of his top 10 goals as a Maple Leaf:</p>
<h4><strong><span class="s2">10. Good night Golden Knights (11/7/19)</span></strong></h4>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Mitch Marner Feeds John Tavares For Maple Leafs Overtime Goal" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J0jgYGgOIKQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<h4><strong>9. Cookie jar on Bob (vs. 12/28/18) &#8211; at 1:12</strong></h4>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="NHL Highlights | Maple Leafs vs. Blue Jackets - Dec 28, 2018" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FUwPrY2vY4A?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<h4><strong>8. Chasing Reimer (vs. CAR, 12/23/19) &#8211; at 2:03</strong></h4>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Every John Tavares Goal From The 2019-20 Season... So Far" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WtHsyWUihxM?start=123&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<h4><strong>7. I like hats (vs. CHI, 10/07/18)</strong></h4>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="John Tavares 4th goal of the season! 7/10/2018 (Toronto Maple Leafs at Chicago Blackhawks)" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-5c1imVXHoU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<h4><strong>6. Backhand bardown (vs. TBL, 02/25/20) &#8211; at 3:36</strong></h4>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Every John Tavares Goal From The 2019-20 Season... So Far" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WtHsyWUihxM?start=216&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<h4><strong><span class="s2">5. Triple deke (vs. EDM, 03/09/19)</span></strong></h4>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="GOTTA SEE IT: John Tavares Beats Oilers&#039; Stolarz With Slick Move In Tight" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N7ddb0pCJWY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<h4><strong>4. Shut it haters (vs. NYI, 04/01/19)</strong></h4>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Islanders Fans Sulk After John Tavares Scores Against Former Team" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3V253Luqc6I?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<h4><strong>3. Nice try, Carey (vs. MTL, 02/09/19)</strong></h4>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="John Tavares Scores Nice Backhand OT Winner Off Great Mitch Marner Pass" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jb9-CQv81eU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<h4><strong><span class="s2">2. Last second hero (vs. DET, 12/23/18)</span></strong></h4>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Maple Leafs&#039; Crowd Erupts As John Tavares Tips Home Tying Goal With 8 Seconds Left In The Game" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s-4KSeU7wdE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<h4><strong>1. Debut goal (vs. MTL, 10/03/18)</strong></h4>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="John Tavares 1st goal as a Toronto Maple Leaf! 3/10/2018 (Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs)" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VKZRLCbfef8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p><strong>From all of us here at The Leafs Nation, Happy John Tavares Is A Toronto Maple Leaf Day!</strong></p>


Well, "creation of Canada", you had a solid 151-year run as the main reason to celebrate July 1st but I'm afraid all good things must come to an end and be replaced by better things. Today we celebrate the two-year anniversary of John Tavares coming home.

Tavares leaving the Islanders to sign with the Leafs was one of the most shocking events in NHL free agency history. For Leafs fans, it was sweet vindication. For years this fan base has heard it from other fans, saying "Leafs fans think every player is going to Toronto!", and for the most part they were right: we went through this with Brad Richards, Rick Nash, Steven Stamkos, and various other big names over the last decade and a half with none of them donning the Maple Leaf. For a long time, the Leafs were in the position of being that person someone flirts with to get their partner to become jealous. Never a true threat, just a decoy.

John Tavares changed all that.

Elliotte Friedman's reporting on <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/john-tavares-maple-leafs-free-agency-story/">How the Leafs signed John Tavares</a> is a fascinating read. The article details how the free agency pitch meetings were run, lessons learned from two years prior when the Leafs unsuccessfully pitched Steven Stamkos, what the Leafs' approach was this time around, how they put the ice back in at the Air Canada Centre to film Mitch Marner's on-ice theatrics, and the moment the night before free agency when Tavares phoned Leafs GM Kyle Dubas:

<img class="size-full wp-image-63277 aligncenter" src="https://theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/07/Screen-Shot-2020-07-01-at-1.58.13-AM.png" alt="" width="734" height="192" />

The news predictably set the Isles fanbase on fire. Really, it was kind of understandable: the pain of losing your cornerstone player for nothing is real. But for some Isles fans it became personal and vicious. Despite being the noble face of their franchise for 9 years, Tavares was vilified as a "snake", infantilized by the nickname "pajama boy" and had his social media mentions overrun with insults and videos of people burning his jersey. He was even the subject of <a href="http://longisland.news12.com/clip/14769996/dear-john-returns">one of the most cringeworthy videos you will ever watch</a>, released just before his first return to The Island as a Maple Leaf. I've never successfully watched the entire thing in one sitting.

Isles fans also tried to convince everyone they didn't need John. The chant "we don't need you" rained down upon Tavares in that first game (an Islanders win) back at Nassau Coliseum. Isles fans pointed to their finishing the 2018-19 season with a whopping three more points than Toronto as the main evidence for this. But hold up: are you telling me they wouldn't have benefitted from having John Tavares on their team that season? It was obvious to anyone with two eyes that the Isles successes that season were the result of the Barry Trotz Effect, in which an extremely talented coach instilled a stifling defensive system to make up for his team's lacking offensive talent. Trotz's system helped elevate Robin Lehner and Thomas Greiss to Goalie God status, finishing the season 2nd (0.930) and 3rd (0.927) respectively in save percentage. The Isles made the playoffs with the second-least goals for and least goals against: they were a low event, disciplined team who played to their strengths and bought into Trotz's system.

But again I say... wouldn't the Trotz-helmed Isles have benefitted from having this offensive beast on their team for the last two seasons? Logic says one thing, Isles fans another.

<img class="size-full wp-image-63278 aligncenter" src="https://theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/07/Screen-Shot-2020-07-01-at-1.06.21-AM.png" alt="" width="601" height="701" />

But enough about Isles fans. In his 145 games as a Maple Leaf, Tavares has provided us with lots of great memories. Here's a listing of his top 10 goals as a Maple Leaf:
<h4><strong><span class="s2">10. Good night Golden Knights (11/7/19)</span></strong></h4>
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0jgYGgOIKQ[/embed]
<h4><strong>9. Cookie jar on Bob (vs. 12/28/18) - at 1:12</strong></h4>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUwPrY2vY4A
<h4><strong>8. Chasing Reimer (vs. CAR, 12/23/19) - at 2:03</strong></h4>
[embed]https://youtu.be/WtHsyWUihxM?t=123[/embed]
<h4><strong>7. I like hats (vs. CHI, 10/07/18)</strong></h4>
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5c1imVXHoU[/embed]
<h4><strong>6. Backhand bardown (vs. TBL, 02/25/20) - at 3:36</strong></h4>
[embed]https://youtu.be/WtHsyWUihxM?t=216[/embed]
<h4><strong><span class="s2">5. Triple deke (vs. EDM, 03/09/19)</span></strong></h4>
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7ddb0pCJWY[/embed]
<h4><strong>4. Shut it haters (vs. NYI, 04/01/19)</strong></h4>
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V253Luqc6I[/embed]
<h4><strong>3. Nice try, Carey (vs. MTL, 02/09/19)</strong></h4>
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb9-CQv81eU[/embed]
<h4><strong><span class="s2">2. Last second hero (vs. DET, 12/23/18)</span></strong></h4>
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-4KSeU7wdE[/embed]
<h4><strong>1. Debut goal (vs. MTL, 10/03/18)</strong></h4>
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKZRLCbfef8[/embed]

<strong>From all of us here at The Leafs Nation, Happy John Tavares Is A Toronto Maple Leaf Day!</strong>

Happy John Tavares Is A Toronto Maple Leaf Day!

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