John Tavares Presents a New Challenge for Brad Treliving and the Leafs Front Office
Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
John Tavares isn't going to just take any old deal this upcoming free agency, and he's making things a lot more difficult for the Maple Leafs according to Elliotte Friedman.
It's been quite the saga for the Maple Leafs and John Tavares when it comes to figuring out a contract. Expected to take a discount, reports have shown that the two sides aren't close, with Tavares' camp feeling they can get more money on a thin open market this summer.
We know that Toronto is trying to play a bit of hardball with Tavares when it comes to his next deal, however...
John Tavares playing hardball right back with the Maple Leafs
But a new report from Elliotte Friedman shows that Tavares is playing just as much hardball with the Maple Leafs as they are with him, and is refuting a lot of their more creative ideas to keep him in town:
Toronto is trying to be creative. I think Tavares could get the Brock Nelson deal on the open market. I think it's possible. And I just don't think Toronto wants to do that. Toronto is trying to be creative, and right now, Tavares isn't biting on what they're doing.
You've got a team trying to get Tavares to the best deal they can get, and you've got an agent trying to get Tavares to the best deal they can get.
And there's going to be ups and downs, and there's going to be moments where it looks close, and there's going to be moments where it looks like it's not going to happen. - Elliotte Friedman
You've got a team trying to get Tavares to the best deal they can get, and you've got an agent trying to get Tavares to the best deal they can get.
And there's going to be ups and downs, and there's going to be moments where it looks close, and there's going to be moments where it looks like it's not going to happen. - Elliotte Friedman
We know that agent Pat Brisson is a very savvy negotiator but he also is one of the more respected agents in the league due to his ability to work with teams and get both a great deal for his clients and make sure that it isn't a miserable deal at the end of the day.
Only a couple million dollars seemingly influencing John Tavares' decision
But what's going on with Tavares is a bit strange. He's stated over and over how much he wants to stay here, and while it's understandable he wants to capitalize on his 38-goal season; does he really want to leave the team even worse off for a couple extra million?
Knowing that Mitch Marner was unwilling to compromise and work with the team in any capacity, hearing that Tavares is going to take this to the bitter end has to make Toronto wonder what's going on.
They reportedly offered a deal worth less than $4-million over three years, which should be a little concerning but we saw Yanni Gourde sign a cheap deal to stick with Tampa Bay, and Chris Tanev signed in Toronto on a bargain deal that was stretched out over a few years.
But if he's so worried about a couple extra million dollars when he's already made over $120-million for his career, then Toronto has to let him walk.
For all the talk about loyalty, it's amazing what a couple extra zeroes will do to change minds pretty quickly.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 24 | 616 ANSWERS John Tavares Presents a New Challenge for Brad Treliving and the Leafs Front Office Should the Maple Leafs let John Tavares walk? | ||
| Yes | 195 | 31.7 % |
| No | 421 | 68.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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