Canada Day Weekend FTB: Let the free agency begin!

For many years, Canadians have celebrated our national holiday — the July 1st NHL free agency day — by sitting by our radios, televisions, and now our computers and smartphones waiting for something big and exciting to happen. Traditionally, we always wind up bored and annoyed that the biggest deal was some 3C getting overpaid to be a 2C or something.

This year might be different, for at least one team. John Tavares went through Friday without announcing any decision, or to tell any of the 6 teams he’s choosing between -- New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Boston Bruins — that he has eliminated them as a choice.

I don’t know if Tavares is just trolling all the MSM people who just want to get to their cottages for the weekend, or if he’s just really torn about this decision. He has until Saturday at 11:59 PM to choose the Islanders if he wants an 8 year deal from them, so if he makes that decision we’ll probably hear about it sometime Saturday morning or afternoon.

Depending on who you ask, and there are a lot of people wanting to tell you about what inside scoop they have who are full of shit, he’s leaning towards staying in New York, with San Jose and then Toronto as the next two likely choices in that order.

If this follows the Canadian tradition, he’ll announce at some point early Saturday morning that he has chosen to sign with some Swiss league team and give two fingers to all the MSM and social media rumour mongers who just want to let you know that they heard from Tavares’ father’s uncle’s co-worker’s neighbour’s dentist what Tavares is thinking. That way we all wind up disapponted.

Well, except both Montreal’s MSM pissbabies who are butthurt about Tavares refusing to even meet with the Habs management, and Vancouver fans who are convinced that the Leafs signing Tavares the Leafs will HAVE to trade Nylander to them for their old, consistently injured defenseman with declining performance and only one year left on his contract.

Can you tell I’m tired of all this shit? I don’t care who he picks I just want him to do it as soon as possible so it can all go away and we can all go back to talking about what really matters. Getting over-excited about prospects in development and rookie camp who probably won’t ever make the NHL. JUST LIKE GOD INTENDED!

ONTO THE LINKS!

Development Camp Scrimmage Highlights | by Katya

Placing bets on the Leafs UFA destinations | by Omar

Maple Leafs rearrange the scouting and player personnel departments | by Katya

Can Riley Nash fill the hole at centre on the Leafs? | by Katya

Mac Hollowell and Rasmus Sandin share friendship, style of play, and now the Maple Leafs | by Scott Wheeler at The Athletic

Maple Leafs Hot Stove Podcast – Episode 1 – John Tavares Watch, 2018 Draft Wrapup & More | MLHS put out their first podcast episode. I haven’t listened to it yet but if you want a new podcast to try, or just can’t get enough of that #TavaresWatch content, here you go!

The Roundest of Tables: Where Will They Go? | by The Leafs Nation

Have a great long weekend everyone!

Who do you ACTUALLY think Tavares will sign with?