John Tavares Struggles Continue to Emerge in Toronto With Latest Revelation
John Tavares has not bee playing his best hockey lately. In fact, he is currently going through what is perhaps his worst stretch since he joined the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Tavares' Struggles Continue In Third Line Role
The Leafs captain has struggled enough that is prompted Sheldon Keefe to make some changes. He dropped the 33-year-old down to the third line and removed him from the top powerplay unit as well. These are huge changes for the veteran who is used to playing in a major role.
The Changes have not worked out particularly well either. Tavares has just three points in his last seven games, one of which came on the powerplay. Furthermore, he has made some major uncharacteristic mistakes in recent games, leading to goals against.
NHL Insider Hints At Leafs Targeting Center Depth At Trade Deadline
Tavares' sudden decline has had a ripple effect throughout the Leafs lineup. Now it may have an effect on the team's trade deadline strategy as well. According to Jonas Sigel, the team could be looking for a new second line center to acquire before the March 8th deadline.
It's just hard for the team and their coach to cut those minutes down absent a better option in the middle of that second line. What that speaks to is the Leafs' need, with just over a week to go until the trade deadline, for another centre.
Trading for a center would limit the team's ability to make moves elsewhere and the team seems to have a greater need on the blueline. However, center depth is often a deciding factor in the playoffs. As such, Brad Treliving will have some very tough decisions ahead of him as the trade deadline approaches.
| POLL | ||
28 FEVRIER | 321 ANSWERS John Tavares Struggles Continue to Emerge in Toronto With Latest Revelation Do you think the Leafs will acquire another center at the trade deadline? | ||
| Yes | 120 | 37.4 % |
| No | 201 | 62.6 % |
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