Maple Leafs Rumors: John Tavares Signing for Bargain Rate ‘Seems Like A Stretch’ — Insider

Earlier this past season, it seemed like a certainty that pending UFA John Tavares would simply return to the Toronto Maple Leafs on a contract that's well discounted from his previous $11 million AAV. After all, he badly wants to stay with his hometown team.

But a funny thing happened along the way through this 2024-25 season. The 34-year-old Tavares went out and popped 38 goals, to go with 74 points, for a team starving for production from the center spot.

So how much of a 'hometown discount' is Tavares willing to give? According to insider Pierre LeBrun in The Athletic, it might not be as drastic as the organization (and fans) want it to be.

There remains mutual interest in getting something done, but finding that sweet spot on a fair deal isn’t quite there yet. The idea that Tavares might sign for a bargain $5 million AAV seems like a stretch to me. It’s going to have to be above that to get it done given the year he just had, although term is part of the equation as well.

As the Leafs figure out how to move on from here, it looks like UFA Mitch Marner will be removed from the equation, breaking up the 'Core Four.' But will taking his 100 points out of the picture really 'change the DNA' of this team enough? Having those four (along with Auston Matthews & William Nylander) pulling in over 53% of the team's salary cap handcuffed the team from building properly around them. It seems that allowing Tavares to stay anywhere close to his previous price range would not do the team any good moving into the future.

What's the right price for John Tavares on a new contract?

As LeBrun mentions, term will be an important factor here. Tavares will be 35 next season, and the Leafs can't afford to tie up any more large sums for long periods of time in players that haven't impacted winning in the playoffs.

Many are pointing to the contract that the Buds gave defenseman Chris Tanev last summer when he was also 34 (six years, $4.5 million AAV) as a potential comp for Tavares.

The two sides touched base again this week and talks are resuming. Less than three weeks to figure something out before free agency comes calling for JT.