Tavares on not meeting with Habs: 'I'm not here to make everyone happy'

John Tavares met with six clubs in the lead up to free agency, but the Montreal Canadiens weren't one of them.

When July 1 arrived, the former New York Islanders captain signed a seven-year, $77-million deal with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, spurring pursuits from the Islanders, Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Asked Monday why he rebuffed an opportunity to meet with the Canadiens ahead of free agency, Tavares said, "I can only play for one team. I'm not here to make everyone happy. I had to do what's best for me, and I felt this situation was the perfect fit for me and the right timing in my career," per Sportsnet's Luke Fox.

"I felt humbled to have the interest I had," Tavares added. "You feel very fortunate to be in the position I was in. I met with the teams I felt were in the best situations that could be good fits for me and see what there was to offer."

The Canadiens are in Toronto for Monday's preseason date with the rival Maple Leafs. It marks the first of two exhibition matches between the two squads before they face off in their Oct. 3 season opener.