Pierre LeBrun Hits the Toronto Maple Leafs with a Harsh Reality About John Tavares
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Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares is currently negotiating a new contract, and according to Pierre LeBrun, the figures being thrown around are not cheap.
John Tavares and the Toronto Maple Leafs are in the midst of some heavy negotiations, and so far, nothing has actually materialized.
Overall, this has been a sore spot for Leafs fans, who just want to see guys like Tavares and Matthew Knies get some new deals.
Unfortunately, with Tavares scoring 38 goals last season, the negotiations have become quite complicated. If Brad Marchand can get $8 million per season at 37 years old, why can't Tavares? Of course, the Leafs don't want to pay that much.
Is John Tavares signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs?
After Matt Duchene got a four-year deal worth $18 million, some Leafs fans made the argument that Tavares should accept a similar deal. Pierre LeBrun of TSN doesn't believe this is possible.
The TSN insider believes Tavares' next deal will have to be north of $5 million. Even if it is a six-year contract, the forward is going to demand closer to $6 million.
I'm sure Brad Treliving wishes that were true. I know for a fact that unless there is a lot of term attached to it, there's no way Tavares signs for 5 million a year.
It's gonna have to be more than that. Now, the Leafs can be creative. Like, if you're willing to throw term at an aging player, that brings down the AAV for sure. I mean, it's all-again-the total dollars matter more than the AAV when it's your last crack at it, free agent-wise. But on a normal contract, what I was told last week is that 5 was too low from the Tavares camp's point of view.
It's gonna have to be more than that. Now, the Leafs can be creative. Like, if you're willing to throw term at an aging player, that brings down the AAV for sure. I mean, it's all-again-the total dollars matter more than the AAV when it's your last crack at it, free agent-wise. But on a normal contract, what I was told last week is that 5 was too low from the Tavares camp's point of view.
http://x.com/Leafslatest/status/1935894242070561208
If it is a short-term deal in the range of three to four years, Tavares might even ask for $7 million, given last season's production.
These are nightmare figures for the Maple Leafs, and the team is going to have to figure out a solution, fast. If there is no deal on July 1st, other teams can swoop in.
Ultimately, general manager Brad Treliving wants to change the DNA of the team. That could mean getting rid of Tavares altogether.
Only time will tell whether or not the Leafs can get something done. The draft is coming up soon, and the sharks will be circling in the waters.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 20 | 441 ANSWERS Pierre LeBrun Hits the Toronto Maple Leafs with a Harsh Reality About John Tavares Do you believe John Tavares will re-sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| YES | 362 | 82.1 % |
| NO | 79 | 17.9 % |
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