Should the Toronto Maple Leafs Pursue Tavares?

Toronto Maple Leafs Nation, you probably have seen the rumors that Lou Lamoriello is looking at bringing John Tavares to Toronto. However, I think that would be a mistake.

If John Tavares, Mississauga native, were to join the Toronto Maple Leafs in early March or July, the Leafs would be acquiring one of the best centres in the National Hockey League. But, it will come at a very large price.

Currently, Tavares is in the final year of his 6 year 33 million USD contract. In order for the Leafs to bring Tavares to Toronto for a long while, they’ll likely have to fork over at least 11 million USD per year.

It certainly doesn’t help that Jack Eichel of the Buffalo Sabres received a contract of 80 million USD over 8 years. If Eichel received 10 million a year, you’d have to figure that Tavares would need to receive a bit more.

Is Tavares Worth 11 Million USD Per Year For The Leafs?

Unfortunately, no.

In the next two years, Lamoriello will have to resign Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner and Jake Gardiner to new contracts.

Matthews, Nylander and Marner will be due for massive paydays. Matthews likely will receive 11-12 million per year. Nylander will probably receive 8-9 million per year and Marner will likely receive 7-8 million per year.

Those contracts equate to 29 million per year.

Now, Gardiner. The Leafs need to retain Gardiner. They shouldn’t let him walk. Gardiner is an top four two-way defenseman in the NHL. Gardiner will likely receive 5.5-6 million per year on July 1, 2019.

Add that all together and the Leafs will have to spend 35 million in the next two years to re-sign our young stars.

Plus you have to add Nazem Kadri, Zach Hyman, Connor Brown, Patrick Marleau, Morgan Rielly, Nikita Zaitsev and Fredrik Andersen’s contracts. Those contracts add up to 29.55 million.

Additionally, James Van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak and Leo Komarov will all be due for a new contract. I doubt the Leafs try to retain all three. Personally, I believe that the Leafs will try to keep Leo Komarov as Komarov has become a strong leader for this young Leafs team. My guess is that Leo’s contract will be around 3 million per year.

All together, the Leafs would have contracts adding up to 67.55 million.

So, there is no possible way that the Leafs could afford to pay Tavares.

What About A One Year Deal For Tavares?

Could the Leafs offer Tavares a one year contract and 10-15 million USD?

Sure, they could. As many of the young stars won’t be due for a new contract till the following season.

But, I doubt that Tavares would accept a one year deal. The Toronto Maple Leafs will have quite a bit of competition and most likely other teams bidding for Tavares won’t be offering a one year deal. They will be offering multiple year contracts.

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Also, Tavares has a wife and kids. His wife probably wouldn’t be supportive of moving up to Toronto for one season and then having to move all over again.

It just doesn’t seem realistic.

Could Tavares Take A Hometown Pay Cut?

Sure, there is always the possibility that Tavares will take a pay cut.

But, if you are John Tavares would you take a pay cut?

Absolutely not. Tavares could go sign a lucrative contract with the Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins or the Edmonton Oilers and have as much as a shot to win the Stanley Cup as he would in Toronto.

Tavares Retires In Toronto

TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 14: Frederik Andersen /

However, I could definitely see the Toronto Maple Leafs making a push to sign Tavares at the end of his career.

The Leafs have been notorious for signing Toronto natives at the end of their careers. A few names come to mind like Jeff O’Neill, Eric Lindros, Joe Nieuwendyk, Gary Roberts and Owen Nolan.

If the Leafs bring Tavares at the end of his career, the Toronto Maple Leafs would have to pay a lot less for him.

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Plus, Tavares will hopefully have a few Stanley Cup wins under his belt by the time he comes to Toronto.

At that point, Tavares will be a great leader in the Leafs locker room and mentor future Leaf stars.

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