NHL: Buffalo Sabres at Toronto Maple Leafs - Source: Imagn — Frank Seravalli claims Maple Leafs have found 'common ground' with $77,000,000 veteran (Imagn)

NHL Rumors: Frank Seravalli claims Maple Leafs have found 'common ground' with $77,000,000 veteran

Modified Dec 18, 2024 14:44 GMT

John Tavares is heading toward free agency, but hockey analyst Frank Seravalli doesn't believe he's going to leave the Toronto Maple Leafs. He reported that the two sides have been talking, and they're beginning to find a happy medium in the discussions.

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Seravelli said that the Leafs have had "fruitful" talks with Tavares, who is in the final year of a $77 million contract, even as far back as training camp, possibly even earlier. He believes it comes down to one question:

"It really comes down to structure and how much of a pay cut is John Tavares willing to accept to remain a Toronto Maple Leaf so long as the Leafs are interested? I mean, this is going to be one that no one's going to be able to fluff their way out of, in the sense that we know he's not going anywhere else."

Seravelli doesn't believe Tavares is primed for the open market or that he's going to test the waters with other teams because he's "been there and done that." He also added that Tavares has made "an absolute pile of money" and can now prioritize winning with the Leafs:

"Will his needs and his costs line up with exactly what the Toronto Maple Leafs are seeing? I think there's common ground that's sort of been found to this point like I think they're relatively within the same ballpark, is my understanding, and that this, you know, certainly has the path and possibility to get done during the season."

Tavares played for the New York Islanders until 2018 when he joined and eventually became the captain of the Leafs.

NHL insider has one question about Maple Leafs' extension for John Tavares

Based on Frank Seravalli's take and the general thinking around both the team and John Tavares, it's a matter of when not if he re-signs with Toronto. In that case, it begs the question from one NHL insider.

Will John Tavares take a pay cut for the Maple Leafs? (Imagn)

Adam Proteau said, via the Hockey News:

"Will Tavares accept a cap hit between $4 million and $5 million? That might be as good a hometown discount as it gets, although it could be wishful thinking.

"Either way, taking a bigger pay cut would permit Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving to stock the Leafs’ forwards shelf with more talent than they’d otherwise get if Tavares insisted on $8 million or $9 million annually."

There is an expectation that Tavares, the former captain of the Leafs, would take a pay cut to help the team win, but how much remains to be seen.