Insider Provides Update on Leafs' Negotiations With John Tavares That Won't Sit Well With Fans
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TSN's Pierre LeBrun shared a concerning update on the negotiations between the Maple Leafs and pending free agent John Tavares that will not sit well with fans.
Thursday saw Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene re-sign for $18M over 4 years, which many immediately used the deal as a direct comparable for John Tavares' new contract, particularly because they are the same age and are represented by the same agent.
Hours after Duchene's extension, Pierre LeBrun was on TSN's 'OverDrive', where he was asked if Duchene's deal was a comparable for Tavares.
LeBrun immediately went to what NHL commissioner Gary Bettman called a 'non-issue', citing that $4.5M in Dallas would be $5.5M or $6M in Toronto thanks to no state tax in Texas.
Hometown Discount For John Tavares May Not Be As Large As Some Have Hoped
In discussing Tavares' extension, LeBrun also revealed that Tavares' AAV is going to be higher than initially thought.
"I know there for a fact, that unless there is a lot of term attached to it then there is no way Tavares signs for $5M a year... What I was told last week was that $5M was too low from the Tavares camp.
I think they would've preferred short when the conversation began, but the longer they go, the AAV goes down."
I think they would've preferred short when the conversation began, but the longer they go, the AAV goes down."
Previous reports indicated that an extension would be announced soon between the Leafs and Tavares, but given yesterday's revelations from LeBrun, it would seem as though the Leafs and Tavares are further apart in negotiations than thought at this point.
It was always going to be a tricky negotiation given the fact that former first-overall pick is coming off of a 38-goal, 74-point campaign, but as the draft and free agency creep closer and closer, the Leafs' 'Core 4' may only have two of the original members in the lineup come October.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 20 | 6563 ANSWERS Insider Provides Update on Leafs' Negotiations With John Tavares That Won't Sit Well With Fans Do you believe John Tavares' starting point above $5M is fair? | ||
| For the season he had, yes | 3528 | 53.8 % |
| No | 1348 | 20.5 % |
| It should be way lower on a longer-term deal | 966 | 14.7 % |
| Just pay him, can't lose Marner and Tavares | 721 | 11 % |
| List of polls | ||
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