If you haven’t heard that John Tavares is a Toronto Maple Leaf, then welcome back from your vacation to the middle of nowhere because it’s been a huge part of any hockey fan’s hockey talk this offseason.

One of the biggest free agent signings of all time sees the Mississauga native “coming home” to play for the team he grew up cheering for. While some Islanders fans may still be a little salty about the somewhat surprising departure, it has left the battered Leafs fan base in gleeful shock.

Now that the dust has settled, and it’s final sunk into Leaf nation that they have a proven superstar, it’s time to let the good times roll. On Friday, John Tavares got his first taste of what home ice advantage feels like in T.O. when he suited up for his first preseason home game against the Buffalo Sabres.

The reception was just as loud as you thought it would be.

 

 

Tavaraes joining the youthful squad that has become the Toronto Maple Leafs is shaping up to be one of the most dangerous teams the franchise has had in a long time. Needless to say, Leafs fans are pretty excited about 2018-19.

 

 

(H/T Kristen Shilton)