Maple Leafs’ Analyst Reveals Surprising Max Price He’d Offer John Tavares
A prominent Toronto Maple Leafs analyst has sparked widespread debate across the NHL community by revealing the maximum price he would offer to keep captain John Tavares beyond the 2024–25 season — and it’s far less than many expected.
During a segment on TSN1050, former NHL executive and hockey analyst Mike Johnson stated that if he were in charge of the Leafs’ front office, he would not offer Tavares anything more than $3.5 million per year on a short-term deal.
“I know it sounds low for a guy who’s been captain of this team, but age and value must align,” Johnson said. “Tavares is going to be 35 next year, and the Leafs can’t afford to hand out legacy contracts anymore. If he wants to stay, it has to be on terms that reflect his current role — not what he did five years ago.”
Tavares, who signed a seven-year, $77 million deal with Toronto in 2018, is entering the final season of that contract. Though still a productive center, he’s seen a steady decline in his speed and overall impact, particularly at five-on-five. Last season, he recorded 58 points in 82 games — respectable, but a far cry from his peak production.
Johnson emphasized that his suggested offer wasn’t meant to slight the veteran but reflected the hard salary cap realities that general manager Brad Treliving faces.
“With Auston Matthews and William Nylander locked in long-term at big numbers and Mitch Marner’s future up in the air, every dollar matters,” Johnson added. “If you’re spending $5-6 million on a bottom-six player who can’t keep up with the game’s pace, that’s poor cap management. The Leafs need to be ruthless here — respectful, but ruthless.”
The reaction from fans and media was swift and divided. Some supported the idea of a more team-friendly extension if Tavares is willing to accept a reduced role, while others felt the offer was an insult to a player who’s been the face of the franchise and has consistently been a leader on and off the ice.
“Tavares deserves better,” one fan wrote on social media. “If the Leafs offer $3.5 million, they’re basically showing him the door.”
Still, there are signs that Tavares might be open to staying in Toronto under different terms. In a recent interview, he said he “loves being a Leaf” and that his family is settled in the city, hinting that he’d consider a hometown discount if it meant a chance to win.
With the 2025 offseason shaping up to be pivotal for the Leafs’ core, the Tavares question looms large. While Johnson’s proposed figure raised eyebrows, it underscores a reality many Leafs fans are beginning to accept: sentimentality can’t outweigh smart cap strategy if Toronto wants to finally break through and hoist the Stanley Cup.
The next few months will reveal whether Tavares is willing to accept a dramatically reduced deal — and whether the Leafs are prepared to walk away from their captain.
