Will the Toronto Maple Leafs look to demote John Tavares? Insider believes so

When John Tavares signed a massive seven-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1, 2018, reactions were mixed. Many questioned whether he could maintain his high level of play and whether his hefty salary was justified. For the first five seasons, Tavares largely met expectations. However, last season saw a decline in his production and a noticeable slowdown in his foot speed, prompting the Leafs to move him to the third line.

Recently, on the Leafs Nation podcast, long-time NHL analyst and insider Pierre McGuire shared his thoughts on Tavares' future role with the team. McGuire believes Tavares should be permanently shifted to the third line.

Tavares, now 33, appeared in 80 games for the Maple Leafs last season. Despite a dip in his production, he still managed to score 29 goals and add 36 assists for a total of 65 points.

While opinions on McGuire's insights can be varied, his suggestion to move Tavares to a more sheltered third-line role makes sense. The Leafs experimented with this last season, and it showed potential. By reducing Tavares' minutes slightly, he could continue to be a productive player, contributing significantly from the third-line center position.

As the Leafs prepare for the upcoming season, making strategic adjustments to their lineup could help maximize the effectiveness of their veteran players, ensuring they remain competitive and capable of making a deep playoff run.

Source: Blade of Steel
Insider believes John Tavares should be demoted season with the Maple Leafs