TSN’s Darren Dreger first reported the news, which will be formally announced at a press conference at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Dreger noted, “John Tavares fully supports the change. Tavares has been heavily involved in the process with GM Brad Treliving.”
This is to be expected. It is unlikely the Leafs, Brad Treliving, or new head coach Craig Berube would antagonize Tavares and the team for the sake of change. Everyone has to be on board for this to make sense. While this move will be painted as embarrassing a veteran in some corners, if Tavares is truly fine with it—and the indications are that he is—there is no embarrassment, making this angle a nonstory.