Second Insider Suggests Leafs Prepping to Use Creative New Tactic on John Tavares Deal

Make no mistake about it, the Maple Leafs have their work cut out for them this summer, what with a number of sizable contract extensions that will need to be worked out.

Not only do the Leafs have two-thirds of their top line to lock up in Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies, but they also have to find a way to fit veteran pivot John Tavares in under the salary cap as well.

Tavares' play over the last two weeks have essentially established that a decline is not a concern for him at this point in time. However, in his next deal, that inevitable decline will have to be considered.

During an appearance on TSN 1050's "First Up" on Monday, TSN's Darren Dreger pointed out that the Leafs may be preparing to utilize a deferred salary setup, as his colleague Chris Johnston recently proposed, to help keep the cost down and/or to spread out the money.

Tavares has amassed 69 points across 67 games this season and has been the portrait of consistency for the Maple Leafs, aside from a down year in 2023-24 of course.

However, the regular season is not where the Leafs need Tavares to produce like this. They need him to do it in the postseason -- and if he can do that, then the already strong likelihood that he returns next season will become a certainty.