John Tavares Explains Why He 'Left Money' On The Table To Remain With Maple Leafs

John Tavares took less money to remain with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

After signing a four-year, $17.52 million contract with an annual average value of $4.38 million, Tavares and Maple Leafs GM spoke on Friday afternoon about the deal. It was rumored that he 34-year-old could get more money on the open market, which he knew before taking a pay cut to stay in Toronto.

"I get to do what I love to do, what I've been doing since I was a kid," Tavares said over Zoom.

"Even though I left some money out there, I've done pretty well. I'm still doing pretty well, and I get to play for an amazing club and a great city, a place where I'm from, and a team that's got a real opportunity to win."

Tavares had a career year before extending with Toronto. His 38 goals this season were the second-most he's scored in a year behind his first season with the Maple Leafs in 2018-19. He did that while battling Father Time, plus the loss of the captaincy last summer.

According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the veteran forward had a two-year, $16 million contract on the table had he hit the open market next Tuesday.

"It's a really good day," Treliving said, before crediting both Tavares and his team, plus Maple Leafs assistant GM Brandon Pridham, on the contract extension.

"We would all agree that there was going to be an opportunity for John to make a lot more money elsewhere, and his focus was staying here. So his work and his commitment and his desire sort of steered the process on this negotiation, so full marks and full credit to John."

Tavares grew up just outside the city and understands what the fans want, because he was once a fan too. He might be turning 35 in September, however, it's not lost on him what's at stake in what could be the final contract of his career.

That's why Tavares wanted to stay with the Maple Leafs: he desires to be a part of a team that brings the Stanley Cup back to Toronto more than anything else.

"I think how good our team is and even through the ups and downs and the disappointments that we haven't broken through yet. My belief in the team here, the ability to do something here that hasn't been done in a long time, that's really special," Tavares said.

"I felt like the fit and comfort playing here for so long and where I'm at in my role and with the team just made so much sense and was the best fit. So it never really got to the point where I had to really look at other options and consider it."

Tavares' role might change next season if Toronto acquires a top-six center via free agency or a trade. If that does occur, Tavares' work ethic won't alter. He might even add more to his preparation as he continues to grow older and wiser.

"Well, you see it every day. I mean, John was here yesterday (Thursday) and he's got his routine that he goes through off the ice, he's working on his game on the ice," Treliving said of Tavares' work ethic.

"If we go on a one-day road trip, you’d think John’s leaving for three weeks because he’s got a number of bags with him with different apparatuses that he uses off the ice, in terms of stretching, and plyometrics and all sorts of things.

"It’s a lifestyle for him. Anything that goes in his body, the food he eats, his preparation to get ready for a practice, to get ready for a game, what he does after a game, it’s constant."

Tavares even hinted on Friday that he's going to be working towards playing for Team Canada at the Olympic Games in Milan, Italy, in February. He was upset to miss out on the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this year and wants to represent his country again.

It's time for the Maple Leafs to shift to the next negotiation, and it's not Mitch Marner. He'll be walking out the door on July 1, unless something significant changes.

Tavares' $4.38 million cap hit gives the Maple Leafs $21.32 million in cap space to play with ahead of free agency. There's still a Matthew Knies extension to get done, and while it's unknown whether it'll cross the finish line before July 1, you'd assume Treliving would want it done so that he can focus on free agency. And then there's the draft on Friday and Saturday.

Toronto got Tavares locked in. They now have to be locked in themselves to get the Knies deal done, plus whatever else they hope to accomplish before training camp opens up in September.