The Toronto Maple Leafs and veteran center John Tavares, who will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, seem poised to agree on a new contract, though it is expected to be quite different from the deal that brought him to Toronto in 2018. NHL insider Darren Dreger reports that the team is likely pursuing a discounted extension, opting against a long-term deal with a high annual salary to better manage the salary cap.
Dreger Predicts Lower Salary with Extended Term for Tavares
Dreger explained that Tavares may accept a contract with a reduced yearly salary in exchange for a longer term, which aligns with a growing trend across the NHL to lower average annual values (AAV) while extending contract length. Tavares recently finished a seven-year, $77 million contract, contributing 38 goals and 74 points over 75 regular-season games last season, alongside seven points in 13 playoff games.
“Everybody wants this guy to take a mammoth haircut. There’s no doubt he is going to, and he’s okay with that at this point in his career,”
Dreger said on TSN’s First Up show.
“But the guy made $11 million flat. He’s worth more than that.”
Dreger also added,
“I expect that’s what’s going to happen with Tavares. It’s going to be a term much longer than most people would be comfortable with, but that’ll help bring the AAV down with deferred money and all that.”
Tavares Expresses Desire to Remain with Toronto Maple Leafs
John Tavares has made it clear during recent media sessions that he wishes to continue his career in Toronto. Despite only recently becoming a free agent, he expressed optimism that a suitable agreement will be reached.
“Obviously, I’ve expressed my desire to stay and make it work,”
Tavares stated.
“Very optimistic that we can work something out where I’m back, but obviously haven’t put a lot of thought into it, it’s only been a couple of days.”
Impact of Contract Negotiations on the Maple Leafs’ Future
The potential contract adjustment for Tavares reflects the financial realities teams face within the NHL salary cap system. By negotiating a longer term with lower annual earnings, the Maple Leafs hope to retain their veteran center’s leadership and skill while maintaining roster flexibility. This approach could influence future contracts both within the team and across the league, as managing cap space remains a critical factor in building a competitive roster.