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Matt Duchene's New Contract Confirms What John Tavares is Really Worth
Photo credit: Imagn Images
Matt Duchene just signed a new contract with the Dallas Stars, and it could very well set the tone for John Tavares and the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are still negotiating a new deal.
John Tavares and the Toronto Maple Leafs are in the midst of contract negotiations, and there is a sense that the forward wants a long-term deal of up to six years.
Meanwhile, it has been theorized that the forward could make over $5 million on the deal, which would be a large price to pay for a 34-year-old.
Sure, Tavares had 38 goals last season, but his play will begin to decline, and it's not like he lights the world on fire whenever the playoffs come around every April.
Matt Duchene signs with the Dallas Stars
Earlier today, the Maple Leafs got some reprieve from the Dallas Stars, who announced a four-year, $4.5 million AAV deal with Matt Duchene.
Duchene had 82 points last season and is also 34 years old. He is the perfect comparison to John Tavares. With that in mind, the Leafs may have just gotten some leverage in their negotiations.
They can now go to their former captain and offer him exactly what Duchene is about to make. $18 million over four years sounds like a good deal if you ask us.
There is no telling whether or not the Leafs and Tavares will come to an agreement in the near future, but there is no doubt that fans want to see some movement.
Other teams keep on announcing big extensions while the Leafs have yet to do anything significant since the end of their playoff run.
If they cannot secure Tavares to a deal by July 1st, then he will be able to test the market and sign elsewhere, which could be a nightmare scenario for this franchise.
With Matthew Knies also in need of a contract, fans are hoping for this to get done sooner rather than later.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 19 | 424 ANSWERS Matt Duchene's New Contract Confirms What John Tavares is Really Worth Do you believe the Toronto Maple Leafs will get a deal done with John Tavares before July 1st? | ||
| YES | 321 | 75.7 % |
| NO | 103 | 24.3 % |
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