John Tavares Contract Becoming Burden for Maple Leafs

John Tavares is turning back the clock this season, and it’s creating quite a headache for the Maple Leafs’ front office.

The 34-year-old center has racked up 38 points in 39 games, proving he’s still got plenty left in the tank. That’s pretty remarkable for a guy many thought was on the decline.

Even after losing the captain’s “C” on his jersey, Tavares has stepped up big time while Auston Matthews has been sidelined with injuries. He’s looking more like the dominant player who first signed that massive $11 million contract with Toronto.

But here’s the thing – his stellar play is complicated.

The Leafs have some tough decisions ahead. Tavares hits free agency after this season, and while he clearly loves Toronto, he’s earned himself a serious payday.

“You can’t expect him to take a huge pay cut just because he likes the city,” one league source said. “He’s playing like a top-line center.”

The timing couldn’t be trickier for Toronto’s front office. They’ve got to figure out what to do with Mitch Marner‘s contract situation. Plus, rising star Matthew Knies needs a new deal, and they can’t risk losing him to an offer sheet from another team.

Tavares isn’t just putting up points – he’s making highlight-reel plays that remind everyone why he was such a prized free agent in the first place.

But the Leafs have to be careful. While Tavares is defying Father Time right now, giving a long-term deal to a player in his mid-30s is always risky business.

The question isn’t whether Tavares deserves to get paid. It’s whether the Leafs can afford to keep him without compromising their future.

Other teams are watching closely. Even at 34, a center with Tavares’ offensive skills will have plenty of suitors if he hits the open market.

For now, Tavares keeps making the decision harder with every point he scores. It’s the kind of problem teams love to have – until they have to solve it.