Report: Maple Leafs Discussing ‘Delicate Pay Cut’ with $77 Million Forward.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a long season ahead of them but it’s never too soon to start looking at the franchise’s books. With many top-tier players, and particularly two members of their self-labeled Core Four, becoming unrestricted free agents in July 2025, the Leafs are already trying to come up with solutions to keep veteran forward John Tavares in tow for the remainder of his career. Tavares’s current salary, however, would necessarily need to be lowered in a future contract in order to make room for upcoming free agents Mitch Marner and Jake McCabe among others. In any case, the Leafs have engaged in early contract discussions with their former team captain
according to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun. “The Toronto Maple Leafs and John Tavares’ camp, led by veteran agent Pat Brisson, have had contract discussions,” LeBrun reported on Tuesday. The veteran forward, who is entering the final seasons of his seven-year, $77-million contract, will see his next deal involve a significant pay cut from his current $11 million average annual value (AAV). “The delicate dance here is finding a sweet spot on what a pay cut looks like from Tavares’ current $11 million AAV,” LeBrun wrote. “They’re not there yet, but the dialogue will continue. “There’s mutual interest in continuing the relationship. Tavares is raising his family in his hometown and doesn’t want to go anywhere.” Toronto Maple Leafs forwards Auston Matthews (34) and John
Tavares (91) talk before taking a faceoff. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Tavares, who turned 34 in September, has spent six seasons in Toronto recording 78 points per 82 games on average. However, his postseason performance has been less consistent, with 12 goals and 12 assists in 38 playoff appearances. Despite the Leafs’ only advancing past the first round once in the time Tavares has spent in
Toronto both the player and the team appear interested in maintaining their partnership if they can reach a proper deal. “I don’t think there’s any rush to get something done, either, especially from the team’s perspective,” LeBrun wrote. “Obviously, the Leafs have other important files, led by pending UFA Mitch Marner.” The Leafs will enter next summer with an estimated $30 million in cap space (the cap limit is expected to grow to $92 million) but only have 14 players under contract for the 2025-26 season.
