TSN’s Darren Dreger was a visitor on First Up Friday and was inquired about the report that the Toronto Maple Leafs and forward John Tavares are dealing with an extension. It was Dreger’s coworker Chris Johnston who reported that a number of alternatives were on the table, consisting of a delayed wage offer that would see Tavares earn less per season while playing and more when his agreement was done.

Dreger didn’t verify or reject that there were comprehensive discussions because regard, however he did keep in mind that the Leafs were going to need to get imaginative due to the fact that they’ve most likely got a fundamental AAV figure they can manage and don’t wish to surpass.

This early morning on #FirstUp, @DarrenDreger signed up with the program to share how he believes the settlements in between #LeafsForever and John Tavares will play out.

Listen to Dreger’s complete interview HERE: https://t.co/pOkHfe4TWB pic.twitter.com/rA8wdtMjkI

— First Up (@FirstUp1050) November 29, 2024

Dreger described:

“The bottom line is going to be, you know, what’s a fair number? What is that fair AAV? I don’t think it can be $5 million. I think it has to be below that. And if you’re Tavares, maybe you are, you know, looking at it and thinking, ‘Well, I just put up big numbers, and I feel really, really good. I think I’ve got at least two more years of that in me.’ Then it becomes more of a negotiation of creativity.”

The Maple Leafs Want to Hang Onto Tavares

Dreger included that the Maple Leafs wish to keep Tavares in the mix for a number of factors. He’s a “good guy to have in the community, he’s great in the room, and he produces on a game-in and game-out basis.” Still, Dreger states that it’s just worth a lot and the Maple Leafs merely can’t manage to surpass $5 million.

Dreger kept in mind, “But I don’t think they can have him making $5 million. It’s got to be less than that. How do you get there? That’s going to be the challenge.”

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