Why the Leafs Suck: Exhibit 4,751

Buffalo sports fans may be familiar with the name John Tavares.

Tavares, pictured at left, is one of the greatest lacrosse players in history. He just happens to play for the Buffalo Bandits. Who, by the way, WILL be playing this winter (THANK GOD).

"JT" is one hell of a lacrosse player. He's got a nephew, of the same name, that also happens to be a hell of a lacrosse player. Funny thing is, he's pretty damn good at hockey.

John Tavares, of the OHL's Oshawa Generals, is the odds-on favorite to be picked #1 overall when he's eligible to be taken in the NHL Draft... in 2009. Tavares just turned 17.

While he's still quite young, Tavares isn't really having problems with competing in the OHL. Little JT is leading the OHL in scoring with 28 points through the first 12 games. Not bad for a 17 year old in a league dominated by young men aged 18-20.

So obviously, there's some anticipation towards his draft year, because this kid is going to be a Crosby/Ovechkin-type franchise player.

The Leafs, who hopefully won't have that pick, have decided that waiting isn't in their best interest. So they're trying to sign him to their AHL team.

A source said Ferguson believes Tavares could play for the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League, which operates as the farm system for the NHL. The AHL bylaw for player eligibility matches the NHL's. Only players who turn 18 by Sept. 15 are allowed to play in the AHL that season, which means Tavares would not be eligible to play until the 2009-10 season, the same year he becomes eligible for the NHL draft.

An exemption could be granted by the AHL but league president Dave Andrews said today that is unlikely.

"That would require an amendment of the bylaw in question, which requires a vote of our board [of governors]," Andrews said. "In my experience, the likelihood of the other 28 teams in the AHL voting in favour of allowing the other team a competitive advantage is not great."

So the Leafs want to circumvent the system to get him to play for their farm team. That's nice. What about the team that drafts him?

The guys in Toronto have that figured out:

The source said Ferguson told Tavares's agents that by signing with the Marlies he can play at home — he is a native of nearby Oakville, Ont. — and at a higher level than junior hockey. And if he wants to play for the Leafs, Tavares could refuse to sign for the NHL team that drafts him in 2009, either forcing the team to trade his rights to the Leafs or waiting until he becomes a free agent in 2011.

If you want him that bad, just suck bad enough to get the pick. It's not that hard. Ask Washington. Or Pittsburgh. But to try the "everyone from Ontario wants to play for the Leafs" angle is pathetic.

Well, you know, as the saying goes... karma's a bitch.