Maple Leafs Re-sign Forward John Tavares | Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has re-signed forward John Tavares to a four-year contract extension. The average annual value of the contract is $4.38 million. Tavares, 34, appeared in 75 games with the Maple Leafs last season, recording 74 points (38 goals, 36 assists). The
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John Tavares re-signed with the Leafs today for four years at $4.8 million AAV.

Deferred compensation involves signing bonuses only and those bonuses are paid after the end of the contract and don't count in full against the salary cap.

Tavares came to the Leafs in 2018 as a free agent. He has 222 goals, 271 assists and 493 points in 515 games played on the Leafs. He is 16th all time in points for a member of the team. He has 17 goals, 14 assists and 31 points in 51 playoff games, with is 28th all time for points on the Leafs in the postseason.

When he signed with the Leafs, I popped open a mini champagne in the summer afternoon outside in the July heat. His signing with the Leafs was a major symbol and an important part of the growth of the team as it became a serious, modern franchise trying to win. He was a top player, and he wanted to play for the Leafs.

He still wants to play for the team, the one with the most fans, the most media, the least privacy, the most pressure.

I refuse to give up the feeling of excitement from that past July day, and I feel it every time he scores. Sometimes he looks like he just got done wrestling a bear and is surprised he made it, but that's life at the goalmouth. I love that about him.

John Tavares will retire as a Leaf. As it should be.

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