The Toronto Maple Leafs and former captain John Tavares continue contract extension talks. But both parties have quite a gap to bridge.
According to insider David Pagnotta, the Leafs lowballed Tavares by offering a three-year deal with an AAV under $4 million. The number is well below what the Tavares camp is looking for.
Pagnotta stated:
“It sounds like the Leafs have pitched a three-year deal worth less than $4 million per season. That won’t get it done.”
Pagnotta reported that Tavares is looking for something in the $7 to $8 million AAV range. That number is much higher than what the Leafs are apparently comfortable paying.
Pagnotta stated that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tavares still have time from now till July 1 to work things out. However, if the two sides cannot get a deal done, Tavares will go to market.
If that’s the case, other interested clubs could make a pitch for the 34-year-old’s services next season.
Tavares is coming off a seven-year $77 million contract. While it’s evident that he will not get a similar deal, the Tavares camp feels the former New York Islander is worth more than $4 million AAV.
Toronto Maple Leafs Using Duchene Contract as Comparable
When Matt Duchene re-signed with the Dallas Stars last Thursday, online chatter picked up, citing the deal as a comparable for John Tavares.
Duchene agreed to a four-year, $18 million contract with the Stars. The deal comes with a $4.5 million cap hit for the 34-year-old.
On paper, Duchene and Tavares are in the same boat. They are both 34 and coming off similar years statistically. Duchene scored 30 goals and added 82 points. Tavares scored 38 goals and 74 points.
Duchene rebounded from two subpar seasons, while Tavares also rebounded from two years of declining numbers.
Moreover, Duchene played the role of second-line center in Dallas behind Roope Hintz. And yes, Tavares played on the second line with the Toronto Maple Leafs behind Auston Matthews.
Given these similarities, the Leafs could be using Duchene’s deal as a reference for Tavares’ new contract, as Yahoo! Sports noted.
Duchene Has Tax Advantage that Tavares Doesn’t
A significant issue, as noted in the Yahoo! Sports piece, is the seeming tax advantage Duchene has in Dallas. It has become a well-known fact that players take a lower-than-market contract in states like Florida and Texas due to their lack of income tax.
Tavares, however, does not have that luxury. Tavares would be signing in Canada, which has a higher tax rate. Therefore, Tavares would be looking for a higher AAV to offset the higher tax bill.
That’s a downside that shouldn’t be overlooked.
The tax issue could play a significant role in keeping both sides apart. Granted, Tavares has been vocal about his desire to remain with the Toronto Maple Leafs. But if push comes to shove, Tavares may explore what’s out there for him in the free-agent market.
If Tavares ultimately walks, the Maple Leafs will have more money to spend in free agency this summer. The Leafs could reallocate Tavares’ cap hit toward adding another top-six forward to replace Tavares and potentially Mitch Marner.
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