The Penguins Should Steer Clear of This Potential Maple Leafs Free Agent
With the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers on Sunday, speculation has begun about which players might stay and which could hit free agency this offseason. One name that has come up frequently is John Tavares, who may become a free agent if he doesn’t re-sign with the Maple Leafs.
However, the Penguins should avoid pursuing Tavares.
At 34 years old, Tavares is an aging player, and Pittsburgh is not in a position to commit big money to a veteran player of his caliber, especially when the team isn’t yet set up to contend for a championship again.
If the Penguins had a roster like the Washington Capitals, built to surround an aging superstar with young talent and skill, they might be in a better position to sign Tavares. But right now, the Penguins have three aging stars themselves, and they’re already tight on cap space. Investing in another older player could be risky, especially if Tavares starts to slow down.
If Pittsburgh were a more championship-ready team, this situation might look different, but as it stands, they should pass on Tavares.
If the Penguins Want a Maple Leafs Free Agent, There’s Another Option
If the Penguins do want to target a free agent from the Maple Leafs, they could explore an offer sheet strategy, though it doesn’t seem like general manager Kyle Dubas would be keen on that approach.
One player worth considering is Matthew Knies. If the Penguins are serious about pursuing him, they could offer him a big deal, though it would come at a hefty price if Toronto decides not to match the offer. In that case, Pittsburgh would have to send multiple first-round picks to the Leafs, and given their current rebuild or retool, losing first-rounders is not an ideal situation.
That said, adding someone like Knies could be a significant boost for the Penguins as they work to retool their roster, so while it may be a long shot, it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility.
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