John Tavares to the Leafs!
 

I just got back from holidays where I heard the news. Greatest acquisition the Leafs have ever picked up, imo.

The Leafs were fun to watch last year but this upcoming season is going to be something special!

I'm fortunate that I got to see him play for the Oshawa Generals as I am pretty sure I won't be going to any Leaf games in the immediate future. $$$.

I am also pretty happy I picked this card up a while ago as prices, as one could expect, have gone up significantly since the acquisition. :)

As a Ranger fan I got to see lots of him the last several years. Heck of a player, but not sorry to see him leave town. Just a suspicion, but Lamoriello's well established history of being an extreme cheapskate (as well as a great GM to build a team) might have had something to do with this. Gotta think Leaf fans are going to love this guy.

I think John is right up there as definitely one of the greatest in today's game. Top 5, imo, anyways.
Unfortunately, I never got to see him play much during his tenure with the NYIs, but if I had to guess, based on what I have seen, I would guess John was looking forward to a change?
9 years and never really going anywhere as a team has to wear one down, imo.

Bringing Lou and Trotz in, imo, was too late for John to change his mind as I believe it was already made up that he wouldn't be returning.

Coming to the Leafs will be a big change for him as the media attention and all the other attention outside the arena will be something he'll have to get use to in a big hurry, but I'm sure he is well aware of that.

Speaking of cards, this trade certainly has ignited a frenzy/sudden interest in his RC and others.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/2009-Upper-D...4383.l4275.c10
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/2009-10-SP-A....c100005.m1851
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/2009-10-THE-...4383.l4275.c10
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/132687571661?ul_noapp=true