It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. Today is Canadian Thanksgiving and we’re thankful to give you all the hot stove talk. We’re only a week into play in the 2024-25 season. However, general managers are already thinking about next year. Some big contracts have already gotten done. However, there are plenty of massive names that could hit the market. This edition of NHL rumours focuses on the Toronto Maple Leafs and talks with one of their stars.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs Talks With Former Captain
Rumour: The Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli appeared on the J.D. Bunkis podcast to talk about pending unrestricted free agent John Tavares.
Analysis: Toronto has two major free agents to sign to contracts in the coming off-season. Both Tavares and Mitch Marner could hit the free agent market. However, could Tavares be convinced to stay?
Seravalli said that he thinks a deal between the Leafs and the former captain gets done. However, what could the lifelong Maple Leafs fan’s contract look like?
The 34-year-old is currently making $11 million and is in the final year of his contract. Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving has plenty to do if he wants to keep the “Core Four” together beyond this season. The Marner deal will also be up and he may seek more than the $10.903 million that he currently gets.
Hometown Discount?
Seravalli said that cursory talks have likely begun between the two sides. Sometimes players want to focus on hockey and not engage in talks during the season. However, some players want to have their future settled and don’t mind if negotiations happen.
This leads to the question of what number will it take to keep Tavares in Toronto. Seravalli mentions that the Leafs brass would love to get him around $6 million. This would be a $5 million discount and allow Trelving some flexibility to make some moves in the off-season.
Taking a “haircut” in contract talks is not a new concept for veteran players. Former Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron took an over $4 million pay cut in his final contract. He did so to try and keep other members of the Bruins’ roster together. Tavares may do the same thing, but Seravalli said he doesn’t know what instructions the veteran forward gave to his representation.
What It Means
If Tavares takes less money, it would give Treliving more money to keep Marner if he wants to do that. However, Marner may still decide to elsewhere and that would allow Treliving more room for a replacement.
The Leafs could also devote more money to impending contracts for Matthew Knies and Jake McCabe. Both players will become free agents at the end of the season.
Toronto could also address other areas like goaltending and depth in order to get a more well-rounded lineup. One knock that Toronto has had for a number of seasons is that the group is very top-heavy with Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Tavares and Marner.
A hometown discount could help fill out the second and third lines on the roster. We’ll have to wait and see how these talks will shake out.
Main photo by: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
