Maple Leafs Reportedly No Longer Committed to Tavares as 2C, per Insider

Toronto may not continue with John Tavares in the Leafs top-six as they may look for an upgrade on their $11M star forward.

A report from Nick Kypreos says that the Leafs are not looking at Tavares as a top-six center, and aren't looking to pay him as such either.

Tavares isnt expected to command the same contract as he first got back when he joined the Leafs at $11M, but he's been projected to still make a multi-year deal at a reduced price.

Recent reports suggest that Tavares, along with Matthew Knies, are both making progress on a new deal, extending both to keep as key members of the lineup.

The Toronto Maple Leafs could still bring back John Tavares, but their value of him seems to differ from what Tavares has made in the past few years.

Toronto has had Tavares as their second line center behind Auston Matthews since he signed a seven-year deal with Toronto, but as the team looks to upgrade the roster and add on offense, the Leafs may be in the hunt for a new 2C, whether that includes Tavares at 3C or not, or even on the wing.

Despite being a near PPG player with 36 goals and 74 points in 75 games for Toronto in 2025-26, The 34-year-old Tavares may not be on pace to record a contract that will set him up with a hefty extension, and could set up the possibility of a team swooping in for Tavares if he gets to free agency.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have to also consider RFA Matthew Knies, as well as any potential other forward adds. The Leafs also have to consider the possibility of them still signing Mitch Marner, having to balance all these options at the same time in a close window.

Despite John Tavares wanting to remain a Toronto Maple Leaf and stay in his hometown, he could make more somewhere else.

Tavares isn't likely to make anywhere close to his $11M AAV, but there may be teams willing to give more to the former Leafs captain than Toronto is willing to, seemingly set on a discount deal for Tavares.

Fellow former first round pick Steven Stamkos got a four-year deal as a free agent last year with Nashville, signing for $8M annually. A team could offer something similar just under that range for Tavares.

John Tavares' next contract could go anywhere in any direction as the two sides appear apart, despite making progress on finding common ground.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a tough decision to make on the future of John Tavares, and Tavares will have to consider just how much he's valued in Toronto and if there's more value elsewhere or if he really wants to stay enough to take a discount.