John Tavares has signed with the Leafs. In tweeting the news to waiting fans Tavares, from Mississauga, included a picture of himself as a boy sleeping in Maple Leaf sheets. The 27-year-old centre signed with the Leafs as free agency opened, bringing an end to a saga that gripped hockey for the better part of seven days and ramped up even further over the last 48 hours. The deal is worth US$77 million over seven years for an average annual value of $11 million against the salary cap. Tavares leaves the New York Islanders. “I’m thrilled to be starting a new chapter of my career and life in Toronto with the @MapleLeafs,” Tavares’s tweet read. “I feel very fortunate to come join a team with a great young core and play where I grew up learning and loving the game. I can’t wait to get started!” with CTV
