Insider Reveals What Type of Deal the Maple Leafs Are Eyeing with John Tavares

On Thursday, TSN's Pierre LeBrun revealed that the Leafs could have signed their former captain, John Tavares, in training camp to a team-friendly deal.

LeBrun conceded that he wasn't 100-percent certain, but believes Tavares and his camp approached the Leafs and said they would sign for $5M per season.

The Leafs didn't take them up on the offer and while Tavares said he had already had positive talks with the club and is optimistic he will be back, the Leafs are reportedly still hovering around his training camp asking price according to The Fourth Period's Dave Pagnotta.

Pagnotta was on 'The JD Bunkis' podcast Friday and noted that the Leafs would ideally like to lock up the 34-year-old on something between $5M and $6M per season.

Whether Tavares is still inclined to sign for that amount after a 38-goal season remains to be seen, but given his comments on Tuesday, it appears he would certainly be open to a significant discount - possibly larger than what many project him to be asking for.

As the Leafs prepare for life without Mitch Marner, keeping Tavares in the fold at a discounted rate would allow Brad Treliving to shop for someone that can play in the 2C role eventually leading Tavares to a shift to the wing as he continues to slow down with Father Time.