Doug Gilmour Makes Big Statement About How Tavares Will Affect Matthews.
PUBLICATION
August 2, 2018 (11:19)
SHARE THIS STORY
"When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed John Tavares, 95% of fans and media members were ecstatic. However there was 5% of fans who thought Auston Matthews wouldn't be supportive of the signing and lose some ice time. That is likely far from the truth as Tavares definitely helps Matthews bring the Leafs closer to the Stanley Cup. After two first round exits from the playoffs, the media who hounds the players everyday will be looking for a big improvement from the Leafs and Leafs legend Doug Gilmour believes Tavares will help Matthews deal with the new pressure. "One hundred percent it will," Gilmour saidof Tavares. "He's old enough (27). He's smart enough. He's good enough. He was the captain of the New York Islanders. He's a leader and can help shield some of the [attention] from Auston, who's still only just 20."Gilmour made the comments at Dominic Moore's annual ping pong tournament. "Look how many media are here just to cover a pingpong tourney in the offseason," Gilmour said. "That's hockey life in Toronto. But John can handle it. He can absorb a lot of the pre- and postgame demands and let a lot of the younger guys do their thing. "He's been in this fishbowl before. He knows. He came here for a reason. He's going to accept this pressure like we all did, and he's not going to shy away from it." "
MUST READ
4 hours ago | By Nick Matthews
Former Maple Leafs Goalie Gets Into Bizarre Goalie Scrap
8 hours ago | By Dean Chaudhry
John Tavares Makes His Intentions With the Maple Leafs Very Clear
10 hours ago | By Dean Chaudhry
The Maple Leafs May Need to Have a Difficult Conversation With Auston Matthews
12 hours ago | By Mike Armenti
Two Popular Toronto Podcasters Let Maple Leafs' Morgan Rielly Have It Amid Rough Stretch
14 hours ago | By Mike Armenti
William Nylander Fully in Rocket Richard Trophy Race, But His Priorities Are Elsewhere
15 hours ago | By Nick Matthews
Maple Leafs Coach Craig Berube Shares Blunt Assessment After Disappointing Loss to Islanders
16 hours ago | By Ryan Smitheram
Craig Berube Snapped at Leafs During an Early Timeout; Nylander Reveals What Was Said
17 hours ago | By Ryan Smitheram
Craig Berube Shares What Little Information He Can About Leafs Captain Auston Matthews