With John Tavares set to become a free agent at the end of the season, an update from a credible insider confirms progress on a new deal with the Maple Leafs.

John Tavares fighting Canada's tax agency over $8M it claims he owes | National Post

While there are reports that Mitch Marner turned down the latest offer he receiced from the Toronto Maple Leafs, things are much different on the John Tavares front.

Tavares’ 7-year, $77M deal with the Maple Leafs, the one that lured him away from the New York Islanders, is up at the end of 2024-25.

Tavares is having an excellent year after handing off Toronto’s captaincy to Auston Matthews over the summer, and he’s been playing in key roles in wins throughout the season.

 

According to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff during an appearance on The JD Bunkis Podcast, Tavares’ ability to adapt is very much working in his favour when it comes to a new deal, and he believes it can get done before Tavares actually becomes a free agent.

“I do think this is a deal that can get done during the year, and I think they’ve had some pretty fruitful discussions going back to, I think, training camp. Maybe even a little bit before that.”

Seravalli added that how fast the deal gets done depends on how much of a reduction in salary Tavares is willing to take.

“I think it really comes down to structure and how much a haircut is John Tavares willing to accept to remain a Toronto Maple Leaf?”

While Seravalli believes the Maple Leafs want Tavares to stay, it seems like he’s giving up any negotiating advantage he might have had.

Seravalli said Tavares isn’t worried about money as he’s made plenty over the course of his career, and wants to remain with his hometown team for as long as he is able.