The Toronto Maple Leafs are bracing for a shaky NHL offseason—perhaps the most franchise-altering in recent history. There appears to be no magic solution to keep the Auston Matthews–Mitch Marner duo together, and now, recent reports suggest another major departure could be looming in free agency.
Matthews and the Maple Leafs can’t help but look back at Game 3 of the Second Round. Holding a 2–0 series lead and up 3–1 in the second period, Toronto was closer than ever to taking a commanding grip on the series. Marner and company could almost smell the scent of the Eastern Conference Final.
The Florida Panthers had other plans, though. They stormed back to win the game 5–4 in overtime and went on to eliminate the Leafs in seven games—including a blowout 6–1 triumph in the winner-takes-all showdown at Scotiabank Arena.
When it rains, it pours
Since, it’s only been downhill for Matthews and Toronto. Marner has seemingly decided to test out free agency, where he is expected to sign one of the biggest deals in the NHL. And it doesn’t end at that. Now, reports suggest another star could be headed for the exit door as he’s yet to sign an extension.
According to insider David Pagnotta, the Maple Leafs and John Tavares “aren’t close, at all” in contract negotiations. Once the organization’s captain, Tavares would become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.
Not cutting it
Once believed to be the group that would guide the Maple Leafs to their first Stanley Cup in over 50 years, the core four of Matthews, Marner, Tavares, and Nylander now appears to be on the verge of being cut in half.
As reported by Pagnotta, the Leafs have pitched a three-year deal worth less than $4 million per season to their former captain. Apparently, that offer is not going to cut it for Tavares, who might be eyeing a change of scenery in the NHL.