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Report: John Tavares wants to remain with Maple Leafs, both parties involved in ongoing discussions
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Nov 28, 2024, 13:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 28, 2024, 12:17 EST
John Tavares and the Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly been in ongoing talks about an extension but are not close to putting pen to paper.
The Athletic’s Chris Johnston provided an update on where things stand for the two parties through the first two months of the regular season and the factors at play that will lead to this deal getting done. He reiterated the notion that Tavares wants to stay at home to be close to family and could be open to taking a hometown discount even in the midst of a strong start to the year. Tavares has recorded nine goals and 20 points in 21 games this season.
“Tavares has little interest in testing the open market for a second time next summer,” Johnston wrote. “Leafs management and his agent Pat Brisson of CAA Hockey have engaged in a series of discussions throughout the fall, according to league sources briefed on those talks, but haven’t yet landed on an extension that works for all involved.”
It is undoubtedly encouraging for Leafs fans to know that Tavares doesn’t want to hit the open market and is also in active talks about a renewal with general manager Brad Treliving.
By all accounts, Tavares has handled all of the changes that have to the Leafs in the offseason quite well. With a new coach in town, handing off the captaincy to Auston Matthews, and the clock ticking on the peak of his powers, Tavares has instead hunkered down and made the most of what he can do at this stage of his career. It’s why he has received such high praise from his GM and coach for his level of preparation and work ethic.
“I had a similar player in Ryan O’Reilly in St. Louis,” Berube said to reporters on Wednesday after the morning skate. “The preparation that they put in daily and the routines they put in daily are why they are such great pros still. They are getting up there in age, but their preparation and what they put in daily goes a long way with how they stay at a high level. It is very important, and I don’t think you see a ton of guys who are as prepared as John Tavares.”
Johnston cited Claude Giroux and Anze Kopitar as two comparable cases that could be referred to during negotiations. Giroux signed a three-year deal worth $6.5 million annually with the Ottawa Senators in July 2022, while Anze Kopitar inked a two-year extension worth $7 million annually. But there is also another avenue the two camps may be willing to explore with this new deal, according to Johnston.
“Given the dynamics at play, it wouldn’t be surprising if the sides landed on a compromise that sees some of the money deferred beyond the life of the next contract,” Johnston wrote. “The Leafs used that mechanism to lower the cap hit on Jake McCabe’s recent extension and both sides in this negotiation are believed to be open to exploring a similar type of structure for Tavares.”
It is unclear exactly how much deferred salary Tavares would be open to giving up, but the fact his camp would not be opposed to the idea is fascinating. The fact that the Leafs were able to convince one key member of their team to take this route would make things more comfortable for other players on expiring contracts to do the same, including Tavares.
At the end of the day, the fact remains that both sides are committed to extending the relationship and the report that talks are ongoing is proof of that. It remains uncertain how close Tavares and the Leafs are to getting this done but they are no doubt heading in the direction of a contract renewal.
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