Great read on the Tavares signing ....
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/john-tavares-maple-leafs-free-agency-story/
very interesting piece was ...
"On the podcast, Dubas gave his highly quoted answer to the question of whether or not he could keep all four of Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Tavares: “We can… and we will.” Tavares demanded that commitment. If he was going to make the leap, he craved assurances the team would not go backward."