John Tavares will be remaining with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Tavares was set to be a pending free agent after completing his seven-year, $77 million deal. Yet, just ahead of free agency on July 1, Tavares signed a four-year, $17.5 million deal with the Maple Leafs, which comes out to $4.38 million per season.
The star centerman could have gotten upwards of $8 million on the open market, so NHL analyst Mark Lazerus of The Athletic thinks it was a homerun deal for the Maple Leafs.
“Toronto is home for John Tavares, and it will continue to be after he signed a sweetheart deal with a significant hometown discount…,” Lazerus wrote. “So for the Leafs to sign him at just a $4.38-million cap hit — a number that’s lowered a bit by deferred payments, soon to be outlawed by the new collective bargaining agreement — is an absolute steal. And it’ll only look better as it ages, with the cap skyrocketing the next few years. Any viable No. 2 center at that price is a bargain, let alone one as accomplished as Tavares.
“Toronto couldn’t afford to let Tavares walk in free agency, not with Marner all but certain to walk out the door. But they also couldn’t afford to pay him what he’s really worth,” Lazerus added. “Fortunately for them, the fit mattered more to the player than the finances. Contract grade: A+”
Tavares is coming off a 74-point season in 75 games and is still a solid NHL player. Although he will be 38 when the deal is done, he is still producing. So getting a legit second-line center-or at worst third-line – for under $5 million a season, it’s a home run for the Maple Leafs and well worth the A+ grade.
Tavares ‘Thrilled’ to Stay With Maple Leafs
Tavares announced the extension with the Maple Leafs on his Foundation’s Instagram page.
On the post, he says he’s thrilled to re-sign with the Maple Leafs as he looks to help his hometown team win a Stanley Cup.
“Coming to Toronto 7 years ago has been better than I ever anticipated,” Tavares wrote on Instagram. “The challenge of helping bring the Cup back to the many generations of Leafs Fans and Leafs Nation is an incredible opportunity that pushes myself and my teammates every day. TO is an incredible place to play and it’s an honour to pull on the Maple Leaf and wear the blue and white.
“I’m thrilled to announce that I’m committed to four more years! My family and I are excited to continue our journey here in Toronto. The best is yet to come! Go Leafs Go!’ -JT,” Tavares added.
According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, Tavares’ contract structure is as follows:
“Year 1, $1M base salary, $4.5M signing bonus Year 2, $1M base salary, $4M signing bonus Year 3, $3.7M salary salary Year 4, $1.8M base salary Plus $2M signing bonus deferred payment payable 5 years after the end of the contract. The deferred payment part lowers the cap hit from $4.5M to $4.38M. Full NMC in Years 1-2. Modified NTC, 5-team list, in Years 3-4,” LeBrun wrote on X.
Tavares recorded 38 goals and 36 assists for 74 points in 75 games.
Maple Leafs GM Praises Tavares
Following the Tavares extension being made official, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving spoke to the media.
Treliving said the effort was led by Tavares as he made it clear he wanted to re-sign.
“It’s a really good day. I want to give a lot of credit, first and foremost to John. His commitment was illustrated by what he did here. There was an opportunity for John to make a lot more elsewhere. Full marks, full credit to John,” Trelivng said, according to Arun Srinivasan.
Tavares is a six-time NHL All-Star.
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