The Toronto Maple Leafs face another pivotal offseason question: Can they lock in longtime captain John Tavares before he tests free agency? As negotiations continue behind the scenes, a potential path forward is emerging, albeit with complications.
John Tavares Contract Talks Highlight Loyalty Over Market Value
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun reports that discussions between the Maple Leafs and Tavares’ agent, Pat Brisson, are ongoing, with no agreement yet in place. Tavares is reportedly willing to accept less than his projected market value to remain in Toronto, signalling a preference for continuity.
“If the Leafs put four years and a $5 million AAV on the table, Tavares would probably take it,” LeBrun wrote in The Athletic. “I don’t think he would do $5 million for three years, though.”
This proposed structure is similar to Matt Duchene’s four-year, $4.5 million AAV deal with the Dallas Stars but accounts for the higher tax rate in Ontario. LeBrun emphasized that Tavares is not seeking a salary comparable to what other veterans might command on the open market.
For Tavares, the decision appears to be about more than just dollars. After completing a seven-year, $77 million contract, he is prioritizing fit and stability over maximizing earnings. Meanwhile, the Leafs’ front office is weighing cap flexibility and long-term roster planning as they consider how to retain key veterans without limiting future options.
Why Timing and Tax Factors May Help the Leafs
Tax implications may also favor Toronto’s bid to retain their captain. A four-year, $20 million deal in Canada could produce similar take-home pay to a shorter-term contract with a higher AAV in the U.S., making Toronto’s offer more competitive than it appears at face value.
“I believe he wants to stay in Toronto, but he’d get a lot more money elsewhere.”@reporterchris discusses John Tavares’ contract negotiations with the Maple Leafs and the interest from around the league. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/2UESHINPDR
— OverDrive (@OverDrive1050) June 23, 2025
Even at 34, Tavares continues to produce at a high level. He scored 38 goals and totaled 74 points over 75 games during the 2024-25 season. With the potential departure of winger Mitch Marner, keeping Tavares could help maintain offensive output and leadership in the locker room.
While neither party has finalized terms, LeBrun suggests there’s a shared urgency to complete a deal before free agency opens on July 1. His reporting underscores that both sides were expecting more progress by this stage in the offseason.
What’s Next for Toronto and Tavares?
As the Leafs assess their core players ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, Tavares remains central to the club’s direction. Losing both Tavares and Marner in the same offseason would mean sacrificing roughly 170 points in offensive production, a risk Toronto may be unwilling to take.
“If you’re not going to squeeze [John Tavares], who are you ever going to squeeze?”@jtbourne, @SamAMcKee & @JDBunkis react to reports on the #LeafsForever extension negotiations with Tavares.
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Talks are expected to continue daily. If the team offers a deal that aligns with Tavares’ expectations in both terms and value, an agreement could be reached quickly. Until then, his status remains one of the most pressing questions in the Leafs’ offseason strategy.
What’s clear is that both Tavares and the organization want to find a solution. Whether that shared intent results in a deal before free agency will shape the club’s immediate future.
