The NHL offseason heats up, and the Toronto Maple Leafs face a major decision regarding their former captain, John Tavares. With his contract set to expire on July 1 and a long list of priorities in front of general manager Brad Treliving, figuring out how to handle the veteran forward’s next deal is no small task.
Tavares, who remains a productive and respected player at 34, appears open to compromise, but how much the Leafs are willing to bend will be closely watched by fans and insiders alike.
Leafs Weigh Contract Options for John Tavares Amid Salary and Term Considerations
Tavares has been a core piece of the Maple Leafs since signing his seven-year, $77 million deal in 2018. With his current contract expiring on July 1, the Leafs must now decide how to approach negotiations with Tavares, who, despite aging, is still producing at a high level. According to TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger, the situation is delicate but manageable.
Speaking on the First Up podcast, Dreger said Tavares is open to taking a significant pay cut. He recognizes his age and changing role, and he’s ready to adjust financially.
“Everybody wants this guy to take a mammoth haircut, and there’s no doubt he is going to, and he’s okay with that at this point in his career.” However, Dreger emphasized that Tavares is still worth more than many believe. “The guy made $11 million flat. He’s worth more than that.”
“I don’t get the feeling that there is a whole lot of love there”
This morning on #FirstUp, @DarrenDreger discussed Mitch Marner’s free agency and where Marner’s relationship stands with #LeafsForever.
Listen to Dreger’s full interview HERE: https://t.co/iB0klsJNVj pic.twitter.com/LuXqfMd4lJ
— First Up (@FirstUp1050) June 17, 2025
Tavares’ performance backs up that claim. He scored 38 goals last season and has posted 493 points in 515 games with the Maple Leafs, nearly a point per game pace. At 34, he’s not slowing down the way some anticipated. His production remains steady, making it difficult to argue he isn’t still a valuable top-six player.
Dreger compared Tavares’ situation to Brad Marchand’s with the Boston Bruins. Marchand, who is also in his mid-30s, is reportedly seeking a contract that could pay him over $8 million per year into his 40s.
Dreger believes that’s a reasonable comparison and suggests a similar structure could work for Tavares, a longer-term deal with a lower annual cap hit, potentially using deferred money and other cap management strategies.
This trend of using longer deals to reduce AAV is gaining popularity in the NHL, and the Leafs have already used it in recent signings. For Tavares, this could mean agreeing to a four or five-year extension that brings his salary down but keeps him with the Maple Leafs, a city he wants to remain in.
Dreger added that both sides have held positive talks, including conversations with new head coach Craig Berube. Tavares himself has expressed optimism about finding a solution. Now, the decision rests with Maple Leafs management: how much are they willing to pay, and for how long, to keep their former captain in blue and white?
Former Captain…. Tavares is the FORMER captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Geez you’d think with all the “research” you did on this article you’d at least know his role on the team.