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.

TORONTO -- John Tavares wanted to remain with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and was willing to take less money to ensure it happened. The 34-year-old forward signed a four-year, $17.52 million contract on Friday. It has an average annual value of $4.38 million.

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.