After The Leafs Dump John Tavares, The Rangers Just Might Lure Him Back to New York

John Tavares a Ranger.

It could happen but the likelihood is not. It could happen because ANYTHING can happen in hockey.

Supposedly "Lifetime Oiler," Wayne Gretzky waltzed to Los Angeles; learned the dough was real in St. Louis and then found the lure of Broadway irresistible.

As a matter of fact so did that other "Lifetime Oiler," Mark Messier.

Let's face it, now that Toronto de-captained Tavares the Leafs brass will want the overpriced, overrated, ex-captain out of there faster than you can say, "Where next?"

The fugitive from Long Island, Tavares' Leafs contract ends at the end of the upcoming season. Or, as my man in Toronto, Rob Del Mundo, puts it, The Pyjama Boy might move on.

"I'm just not sure whether the Rangers would be the best fit," Del Mundo tells me.

The Maven never said anything about Tavares being a "best fit." Then again, GM Chris Drury is well-experienced with poor fits. Or have you all forgotten a guy named Kane – or Tarasenko? They fit like a two-sizes too small pair of shoes.

Purely from a fantasy viewpoint, can you imagine Tavares as a Ranger, taking his first ice steps at UBS Arena.

YIKES!

With that horror show in mind, I asked my buddy – super-duper-a-la-Peter T. Hooper – Islanders fan Michael Leboff how he'd react to Tavares, as a Ranger at UBS.

"Honestly," Leboff insists, "I'd almost respect him a little more if he did that and signed with the Blueshirts if he really leaned into being a villain. Sports is all about good vs. evil and you need folks to wear the black hat.

"So, if Tavares did that. I'd give him credit for taking things to the next level." Then, a pause: "But it also would take my hatred for him to a new level!"

In all fairness, I figured I'd cross the East River and get a view from the Rangers side. Long time pal and longer-time Rangers fan plus hockey columnist Patrick Hoffman was equally blunt.

Hoffman: "While I respect Tavares as a person, the Rangers do not need him nor should they want him. Yes, he can produce, but he does not know how to win and has thus far failed with both the Islanders and Leafs."

Then a pause, not unlike Mike Leboff's: "As such, that would be a huge NO for me!"

I'll "Third" the motion. But that doesn't mean it couldn't – or won't – happen. And, if you don't believe The Maven, ask The Great One or Moose!

They both sniffed the dough and went where the dough-re-me was. And still is!

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https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/its-time-for-a-new-generation-of-rangers-players-to-take-over