After another disappointing Toronto Maple Leafs playoff loss, it's time to break up the core four forwards and that might mean moving on from Mitch Marner, who becomes a free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season. It’s official. The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenseman Chris Tanev to a six-year, $27 million contract that carries an average annual value (AAV) of $4.5 million per season, the club announced Monday. As reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman [https://x.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1807782898616906235], the contract carries a full no-movement throughout, meaning the player cannot be waived, assigned to minors, or traded without approval. In addition to this contract note, Friedman mentioned the Tanev deal is approximately 80 percent in bonuses. AFP Analytics [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JPtGk5m_S9VuR5e7T8lb_BlilXRwJPF0V2ddQzjjpvc/edit?gid=1769332179#gid=1769332179] was projecting a three-year, $13.44 million contract with an average annual value of $4.48 million a season for Tanev’s next deal. As we have come to know, Tanev’s new contract surpasses that by a significant margin. Tanev has been high on Treliving's radar as far back as November of 2023, when the club tried to trade for the 14-year veteran in a package that included Nikita Zadorov. Along with Zadorov and veteran Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Tanev has been viewed by the organization as one of the multiple defensive pieces that could benefit the club’s blueline this offseason. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muspFYtHthI[/embed] After the club acquired his rights in a trade with the Dallas Stars nearing the end of the NHL Draft Saturday, they had a small window and negotiation period to get a deal done before the start of free agency, and well, mission accomplished. With the signing of Tanev, PuckPedia.com [https://puckpedia.com/team/toronto-maple-leafs] is projecting the team has $8,455,333 left to spend under the $88 million salary cap in free agency Monday. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Why the Maple Leafs Officially Signed Joseph Woll to a Three-Year Extension Worth $3.66 Million Per Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/why-the-maple-leafs-officially-signed-joseph-woll-to-a-three-year-extension-worth-3-66-million-per-season] Report: Maple Leafs Forward Tyler Bertuzzi Expected to Sign Four-Year, $22 Million Contract with Chicago Blackhawks in NHL Free Agency [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-forward-tyler-bertuzzi-expected-to-sign-four-year-22-million-contract-with-chicago-blackhawks-in-nhl-free-agency] Why the Maple Leafs Stayed in Las Vegas for the Beginning of NHL Free Agency [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/why-the-maple-leafs-stayed-in-las-vegas-for-the-beginning-of-nhl-free-agency] News from THN.com 2024 NHL Draft: Building Team Ferrari with the Detroit Red Wings' Picks [https://thehockeynews.com/news/2024-nhl-draft-building-team-ferrari-with-the-detroit-red-wings-picks] 2024 NHL Draft: Best Available After the First Round [https://thehockeynews.com/news/2024-nhl-draft-best-available-after-the-first-round] Oilers on the Verge of Becoming the Most Unlikely, Memorable Cup Champs in NHL History [https://thehockeynews.com/news/oilers-on-the-verge-of-becoming-the-most-unlikely-memorable-cup-champs-in-nhl-history]
