Toronto Maple Leafs and John Tavares Contract Talks Continue Ahead Free Agency

The Toronto Maple Leafs face a critical offseason decision regarding the contracts of John Tavares and Matthew Knies amid the departure of star forward Mitch Marner. Tavares, a productive 34-year-old center, has yet to reach an agreement with the Leafs despite his desire to stay, as the team’s offer—a three-year deal at $4 million average annual value—is reportedly below his expectations, with Tavares seeking more than $5 million per year. The Leafs have about $25 million in cap space but must balance this with pending decisions on Knies, who could command a large long-term contract given his potential upside, and Marner’s exit. Management is weighing a long-term deal for Knies, which could be costly in the short term but beneficial as the salary cap rises, against a short-term deal that preserves roster flexibility. With free agency opening soon, the Leafs risk losing Tavares for nothing if a deal isn’t reached, which would leave a significant gap at the second-line center position. The situation remains fluid, with negotiations continuing but no breakthrough yet, highlighting the pressure on the Leafs’ front office to make strategic decisions quickly.