John Tavares is not playing with the Peterborough Lakers this summer, but does that mean the Bandits captain won’t return in 2014?Tavares is the all time leading scorer in league history and the longest tenured. He has been with the Buffalo Bandits his entire career and was named captain for the first time last season.
Tavares has missed this season with the Lakers because he tore his calf at the end of NLL season and needed time to heal. According to the Buffalo News, Bandits GM Steve Dietrich said that Tavares will take the summer to decide if he will play in the NLL again.
There were rumors of Tavares serving as an assistant coach under Troy Cordingley, but earlier today it was announced that former Calgary Roughnecks head coach Dave Pym would be an assistant. That makes it seem like Tavares may not be needed in that role.
Buffalo doesn’t have a first round pick in this draft, and a lot of turnover should be expected. There are rumors of trades with the team every day, and older players such as Anthony Cosmo and Tracey Kelusky are free agents.
Tavares returning to Buffalo might have to do with who else is. Will Luke Wiles stay around, and bounce back? Will Shawn Williams be back? And if they are, where is the room for Tavares on a rebuilding club?
