Instant Reaction: John Tavares’ 4-year extension with Maple Leafs is massive win for both parties

John Tavares will sign a four-year extension reportedly worth $4.38 million annually with the Toronto Maple Leafs. For both parties, this is a massive win. Tavares will remain in Toronto, possibly for the duration of his career, while the Maple Leafs signed one of the premier free agents on this year’s market to a team-friendly deal, even accounting for possible age-related decline.

Tavares recorded 38 goals and 74 points during the 2024-25 campaign, working effectively as a solid No. 2 centre, while using his hockey intelligence and power game to great effect in the bumper role on the power play. He also recorded five goals and seven points in 13 postseason games.

There was some weariness about signing Tavares to a long-term pact, but the reported annual average value is more than enough to satisfy even the greatest skeptics. AFP Analytics projected Tavares’ market value to be worth a three-year contract at $7.9 million annually. While it’s a slightly longer term than AFP Analytics projected, Tavares’ AAV is an absolute steal for the Maple Leafs and reflective of his desire to remain with his boyhood club.

“It’s been positive. As we said at the end of the year, you’ve got a player who we both expressed a shared outcome, which is John wants to stay and we want to keep John,” Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said Thursday. “Like any contract, there’s usually just two stumbling blocks: term and money. Once you get by those, usually things flow pretty quick. So we’re moving, hopefully in a direction to bring it to closure. My hope is, until proven otherwise, that we’ll have a good outcome here.”