Maple Leafs Reportedly Exploring ‘Creative' Contract in John Tavares Talks
Maple Leafs Reportedly Exploring 'Creative' Contract in John Tavares Talks originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are actively working on a new contract for John Tavares but are facing resistance from the veteran forward's camp.
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Despite what insiders are calling 'creative' proposals from Toronto, it looks like Tavares has not bought into those contract terms a week away from free agency.
According to Sportnet's Elliotte Friedman, reporting during Monday's episode of the "32 Thoughts" podcast, both the Leafs and Tavares' agent are committed to securing the best possible deal, but the two sides remain apart.
'You've got a team trying to get Tavares to the best deal they can get, and you've got an agent trying to get Tavares to the best deal they can get,' Friedman said. 'Toronto is trying to be creative, and right now, Tavares isn't biting on what they're doing.'
Friedman said that he 'a billion percent' believes Tavares wants to stay in Toronto, and noted the Leafs are exploring mechanisms like deferred money in the deal.
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'I think (a deferred-money-type contract) is possible,' Friedman said. 'This could be the last year you're allowed to defer money. There's a chance all of this could go away under the CBA.'
Chris Johnston also referred to the team's approach as 'creative' on Monday's episode of "The Chris Johnston Show" podcast, aligning with Friedman's assessment about deferring money.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares (91) skates with the puck against the Montreal Canadiens in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
"There are creative ways, and the Leafs are a creative team with their contracts," Johnston said. "I wouldn't be surprised. I've said all along that I think this is one of those times a deferred money deal might even make sense now (that) those are being wiped out, I believe, in the next CBA."
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Tavares, coming off a 74-point season, has publicly expressed his desire to return to Toronto.
'Obviously, I've expressed my desire to stay and make it work,' Tavares said. 'Very optimistic that we can work something out where I'm back, but obviously haven't put a lot of thought into it, it's only been a couple of days.'
Related: Maple Leafs Facing Major Decision on John Tavares Contract
Related: Darren Dreger Predicts What John Tavares' Next Maple Leafs Contract Could Look Like
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
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