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NHL Analyst Draws Firm Line on What Maple Leafs' John Tavares Is Worth

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 21, 2025 10:12 AM ET

John Tavares has made it clear he wants to re-sign with his current team, but not everyone believes the Toronto Maple Leafs should give in easily.

Speaking on TSN's "OverDrive" on Friday, analyst Bryan Hayes outlined what he thinks the Leafs should — and shouldn’t — offer their captain as he approaches free agency.

Tavares, 34, just wrapped up a seven-year, $77 million contract and is reportedly expected to command $7 million to $8 million per season on his next deal.

Hayes strongly disagrees with that range and used recently extended veteran Dallas Stars forward Matt Duchene to make a case against overpaying Tavares.

Could Duchene’s deal be a comparable for Tavares extension in Toronto?

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“If [Duchene is] going to take four by 4.5 [million], if I’m the Leafs, how can you justify any more than that?” Hayes said. “It can’t be 7 million for four years if Duchene is 4.5 million.”

Hayes said he’d stretch his offer to $5 million at most, but nothing beyond that.

The insider referenced Duchene’s four-year deal with the Stars as a baseline for what Tavares should expect to get this offseason, given that both players entered the league at the same time and have had similar recent production.

Hayes urged the Leafs to take a firm position in negotiations, advising them to take the lead and set a maximum early in their talks.

"That is our offer, take it or leave it," Hayes said. "Four by 4.5 million. If you don’t like it, no problem — we will move on. You have to start winning negotiations."

For comparison, Tavares recorded 74 points in 75 games last season but struggled in the postseason with just seven points and a minus-4 rating in 13 playoff games, while Duchene completed a full 82-game regular season, scoring 82 points before adding six points in 18 playoff games.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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