John Tavares' Next Contract with Maple Leafs Revealed, per Darren Dreger
With all the discussion surrounding what the next deal for John Tavares is going to be, NHL Insider Darren Dreger seems to have a solid idea of the figures.
The season that John Tavares is currently having is nothing short of impressive. At 34-years old he's playing like he's in his prime, and the creativity, offensive production and leadership has been off the charts for Toronto this year.
Though there are still questions about his next contract given his pending free agent status. While there's been a lot of talk about what the figures could be, or whether or not a team would come in with an offer Tavares couldn't refuse; one NHL Insider seems to know what's going on.
Darren Dreger Believes John Tavares' Contract Involves Pay Cut And Patience
Speaking on TSN 1050's First Up program, Darren Dreger touched on the Tavares contract situation and gave some thorough insights into what we can expect in the coming months:
John Tavares will NOT get an $11 million AAV contract again with the Leafs-that's clear. But if his next deal is in the $6-7 million range, it becomes more realistic. A four- or five-year term could help spread out the cap hit.
As Chris Johnston noted a few months ago, Tavares may be open to deferring money, similar to what other NHL players have done.
He wants to stay in Toronto and finish his career with the Leafs, making it difficult for the team to ignore the possibility of keeping him.
He's never been the fastest player, but he remains highly productive, reliable, and elite on faceoffs. He also keeps himself in top shape, so concerns about his age are less of a factor.
On top of that, he understands the Leafs have other contract priorities and is willing to be patient.
The rising salary cap gives the Leafs more flexibility, but how long they wait will matter. If his asking price isn't manageable for Brad Treliving, things could get complicated.
The market would likely offer him more than the Leafs are willing to pay, but everything suggests he wants to stay-as long as the deal is reasonable.
As Chris Johnston noted a few months ago, Tavares may be open to deferring money, similar to what other NHL players have done.
He wants to stay in Toronto and finish his career with the Leafs, making it difficult for the team to ignore the possibility of keeping him.
He's never been the fastest player, but he remains highly productive, reliable, and elite on faceoffs. He also keeps himself in top shape, so concerns about his age are less of a factor.
On top of that, he understands the Leafs have other contract priorities and is willing to be patient.
The rising salary cap gives the Leafs more flexibility, but how long they wait will matter. If his asking price isn't manageable for Brad Treliving, things could get complicated.
The market would likely offer him more than the Leafs are willing to pay, but everything suggests he wants to stay-as long as the deal is reasonable.
Now what would constitute a reasonable deal? Well, we can scratch off anything north of $8M and anything less than $4M.
So that leaves us with anywhere from $5-7M per season, and with less concerns about age, Toronto doesn't have to throw a one or two year deal, and could easily just lock up Tavares for the next four years, bringing him toward the end of his age-38 season and gauge things then.
Deferred money also adds an interesting caveat, as Toronto can essentially backload his deal to give him a ridiculously low salary but pay him an enormous amount at the back end of his deal.
Plus, Tavares knows that Mitch Marner, Matthew Knies, and others need deals, and while he would love to make money (who wouldn't?) the priority has always and will always be the team first, then himself second; the mark of a true leader.
He's put up 69 points in 67 games (35G, 34A) and with just two more goals this year, will be the most he's scored for the Maple Leafs since 2017-18.
Already beating out last year's point total in 13 fewer games, he's riding a hot streak that may seem him flirt with the 80-point mark when all is said and done.
Continuing to be elite in the face-off dot, a leader regardless of whether or not he wears the 'C', and showing he can still hang with the best just goes to show how blessed we are to be able to watch him play.
So we can just sit back and wait until the end of the season and have a little patience with Toronto that they'll make the right decision.
Just like John Tavares.
| POLL | ||
MARS 31 | 976 ANSWERS John Tavares' Next Contract with Maple Leafs Revealed, per Darren Dreger Do you think John Tavares will sign a long or short term contract with Maple Leafs? | ||
| Long-Term | 388 | 39.8 % |
| Short-Term | 541 | 55.4 % |
| Won't Reisgn | 37 | 3.8 % |
| Retires | 10 | 1 % |
| List of polls | ||