With the start of NHL free agency less than three weeks away, the Toronto Maple Leafs are facing decisions that could dramatically change their roster construction. While much speculation centers on the future of projected No. 1 NHL free agent Mitch Marner, the team must also address other key players like John Tavares and Matthew Knies.
There is little urgency in the case of Knies, as the 22-year-old is a restricted free agent. The situation with John Tavares, however, is more pressing. The 34-year-old veteran forward will be free to sign with any other franchise as of July 1.
According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, Tavares and the Leafs are using this exclusive window to discuss a new deal, and both sides have a mutual interest in an extension.
Tavares expressed his desire to stick around immediately after the team’s elimination following a second-round series loss to the Florida Panthers. The sticking point is finding the balance between fair value for a player who scored 38 goals last season and a contract that provides the franchise with a hometown discount.
‘I’d Love Another Opportunity’: Do The Maple Leafs Dare Entertain The Thought Of Running It Back Again?
The scene at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday night was eerily familiar.
Tavares just wrapped up a seven-year contract that carried an average annual value of $11 million. While it's clear the player will likely settle for less than that amount on his new deal, the question remains: how much less?
As has been explored at The Hockey News, contracts like the one Chris Tanev signed with the Leafs last season or the one signed by Tampa Bay Lightning forward Yanni Gourde could provide a pathway for the player to collect his money while keeping the average annual value down. Deferred money deals, much like the one Jake McCabe signed at the end of 2024, also provide an additional means to lower the AAV.
Tanev, Gourde Contracts And Deferred Money Provide A Blueprint For Maple Leafs To Re-Sign John Tavares
John Tavares <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-d-love-another-opportunity-do-the-maple-leafs-dare-entertain-the-thought-of-running-it-back-again">wants to stay in Toronto.</a> The former Maple Leafs captain made that clear when speaking to reporters shortly after his team was eliminated in the second round at the hands of the three-time defending Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers. This desire, coupled with the Maple Leafs' cap constraints, begs the question: How can both sides find common ground? Reportedly, the Maple Leafs would welcome him back, but not at the hefty $11 million per season salary cap hit that came with his first contract in Toronto. Recent contracts signed by other players offer a compelling glimpse into potential solutions.
Finding clarity on the Tavares contract would certainly help GM Brad Treliving determine how he can allocate the rest of his salary cap space. That flexibility will dictate whether he can pursue free agents like Panthers forward Sam Bennett and Bruins forward Brad Marchand, or figure out a way to bring Marner back into the fold.
Per PuckPedia.com, the Leafs currently have $25,709,001 in salary cap space with 17 players signed to the roster.
As the days tick closer to July 1, the chatter surrounding the league's top free agents is only expected to intensify.
Report: Blue Jackets And Mitch Marner’s Agent Discussed Offer Sheet In 2019, Targeting Maple Leafs Forward In Free Agency
Before signing a six-year, $65.4 million contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019, there was reportedly a chance that then-restricted free agent Mitch Marner could've inked an offer sheet with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Kraken’s Lane Lambert Talks Maple Leafs Tenure, Coaching Matthews and Marner Under Toronto Pressure
New <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/lane-lambert-leaves-maple-leafs-to-become-seattle-kraken-s-new-head-coach">Seattle Kraken head coach</a> Lane Lambert's tenure as an associate coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs was one of the "most enjoyable years" he's had with a staff in the NHL.
Prime Video's Mark Shopiro Previews What NHL And Maple Leafs Fans Can Expect From Season 2 of Amazon's Coverage
Amazon has just completed its first season streaming NHL games in Canada when the digital giant wasted no time in unveiling plans for 2025-26 at their annual upfronts in Toronto. Entering the final year of a two-year deal with Rogers Sports & Media, to broadcast games on Monday night, a weekly live look-in show called 'Coast-To-Coast' on Thursday and a docuseries titled 'FACEOFF: Inside The NHL', the digital giant appears poised to build off their opening year.