John Tavares reportedly took a significant annual average pay cut to stay with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. NHL Insider Jeff Marek believes “Tavares probably could have gotten $8 [million] x 2 [years] with Anaheim.” Marek also wondered if the Utah Mammoth would enter the sweepstakes.

Although John Tavares might be holding onto a glimmer of hope that Mitch Marner returns to the Toronto Maple Leafs, he's being realistic about the situation.

John Tavares Makes Obvious Admission About Maple Leafs Extension originally appeared on Athlon Sports. John Tavares will play for the Toronto Maple Leafs through the 2028–29 season, and according to the captain himself, the financial terms he agreed to weren’t the most lucrative offered to him.