Toronto Maple Leafs Captain Reveals Future Plans Once His Contract Ends

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Hunter Bowman
January 8, 2024 (9:46 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to invest in their core players, solidifying their commitment with an eight-year contract extension for William Nylander. Now, attention turns to another key player expressing his desire to stay with the team.

Maple Leafs' captain John Tavares, a foundational member since joining in the 2018 offseason, nears the end of his seven-year deal. As he heads into the last season of his contract, the 33-year-old signals that he envisions a continued future with the Leafs.

John Tavares is a year and a half away from free agency himself. The captain reiterates that he too wants to stay in Toronto.

Challenges in Extending Tavares

Securing an extension for Tavares poses challenges for the Leafs, with both Tavares and Marner facing free agency simultaneously. With Auston Matthews and William Nylander already holding substantial cap hits, the Leafs could be juggling nearly $40 million for three players. While Tavares might consider a pay cut given his age, his consistent performance could still warrant a significant contract, possibly around eight million dollars.

The Duration Dilemma

Another factor is the term of a potential Tavares extension. Entering his age 35 season in the first year of a renewed contract, a more cautious approach may limit the team's commitment to a few years. Despite concerns about age, Tavares has shown no signs of slowing down, leaving room for optimism about several more years of competitive hockey.