Ex-New York Islanders Player Reveals the Truth About John Tavares Leaving for Toronto
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Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares left the New York Islanders seven years ago, and for players like Cal Clutterbuck, it all feels like it happened yesterday.
John Tavares' decision to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2018 completely changed the franchise for the better, even if a Stanley Cup hasn't been one.
Tavares became the team's captain, and he was immediately considered one of the best players to ever grace the city. Not to mention, he was the hometown guy.
Unfortunately, New York Islanders fans hated him for years following the decision, and to this day, they still have a bit of animosity for the veteran star.
John Tavares risked it all coming to the Toronto Maple Leafs
However, on Spittin Chiclets, retired New York Islanders player Cal Clutterbuck offered the truth about Tavares leaving the team.
He noted that everyone on the team understood why Tavares did what he did, and that no one can blame him for wanting to be the hometown hero.
Snowy [Garth Snow] really wanted the chance to sign him and I think John considered coming back. But at the end of the day when you're the guy and get the chance to go home and be the hero; if you ask anyone if they would and they say no they're a f****** liar.
Clutterbuck did say that Tavares should have done just a bit more research, however, due to the fact that guys like Zach Parise have underperformed with their hometown teams.
The one reservation is I wish he would have talked to Parise, because the same thing happened with him.
I just wanted him to know that if this doesn't work out the way you want, like you might hear some s*** on a regular basis even into your 40s. That was my only play for him was sometimes it's not great playing back home.
I just wanted him to know that if this doesn't work out the way you want, like you might hear some s*** on a regular basis even into your 40s. That was my only play for him was sometimes it's not great playing back home.
Considering the fact that Tavares signed for four more years in Toronto, it seems pretty clear that he thinks coming here was a good idea.
Now, it feels as though Tavares is on track to retire with the Leafs, which is pretty cool.
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