NHL rumors are swirling around the Toronto Maple Leafs, particularly regarding the next contract for their….

NHL rumors are swirling around the Toronto Maple Leafs, particularly regarding the next contract for their star forward, John Tavares. As Tavares’ current contract comes to an end, speculation about his future with the team is heating up. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, Tavares’ next contract could be significantly cheaper than his previous one, with an average annual value of around $6 million ¹.

This would be a substantial decrease from his current $11 million per season deal. The contract length is also expected to be shorter, potentially around four or five years. This would be similar to Steven Stamkos’ contract with the Nashville Predators ¹.

Another key factor to consider is the possibility of deferred money. Since Tavares has expressed his desire to remain with the Maple Leafs and retire with the club, a deferred money arrangement could be beneficial for both parties. This would allow Tavares to receive most of his money after his playing career, while also helping the Maple Leafs manage their salary cap ¹.

In other Maple Leafs news, the team has been making moves to secure their future. They recently signed Arizona State forward Ryan Kirwan to a two-year deal and terminated the contract of long-time Marlies player Matt Anderson to make room for new prospect John Prokop ² ³.

Meanwhile, Mitch Marner’s contract situation remains a topic of interest. Marner is seeking a competitive contract starting at $104 million over eight years, and several teams are expected to show interest in signing him if he reaches free agency ⁴.

Lastly, Matthew Knies, another key player for the Maple Leafs, is also due for a new contract. His expected contract demands are still unclear, but he’s likely to receive significant interest from other teams if he becomes a restricted free agent ⁵.