Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Trelving said that John Tavares no longer wearing the ‘C’ will not impact negotiations surrounding the centre’s expiring contract.
Tavares was named the 25th captain in Maple Leafs history prior to the 2019-20 season but officially passed the torch to Auston Matthews on Wednesday.
The change comes at an interesting time for the 33-year-old Tavares, as he is also entering the final year of his seven-year, $77-million deal and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
And while Treliving admitted he likes to keep contract discussions close to the chest, he did say that the captaincy switch is not something that will be brought up in contract talks with Tavares.
“As I do with any discussion that relates to contractual status, those will remain behind closed doors,” Treliving said on The Fan Pregame on Wednesday. “These discussions we had with regard to the capitancy is independent of any discussions we will have, or may have, with respect to contract negotiations.”
Trelving also said that he thinks Tavares’ playing career is far from over.
“I think John still has a lot of hockey left in him,” the GM said. “Lot of good hockey.”
In his sixth season as a Maple Leaf in 2023-24, Tavares recorded 29 goals and 36 assists in 80 regular season games. It was his lowest point tally in a non-shortened season since his rookie year in 2009-10. He has 456 goals and 1,040 points in 1,109 games over 15 seasons with the Maple Leafs and New York Islanders.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman also provided some insight into Tavares’ contact situation in his ‘Suprise Summer Emergency’ edition of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast on Wednesday.
“One of the things I think is still in play for Tavares is a potential extension,” Friedman said. “… I don’t think it’s done. And even if it was done, I don’t think they would overshadow Matthews.
“But it’s been discussed, I think it will continue to be discussed, and I don’t think it’s impossible that we see Tavares get extended as a Toronto Maple Leaf. I think that is something that both sides are considering.”
Tavares will wear an “A” as alternate captain for the Maple Leafs in 2024-25, and said on Wednesday he knew it was time to make the switch.
“Over the last few months, through deep discussions and thoughts with Brad (Treliving), Brendan (Shanahan) and myself, we have come to the decision that now is the time to pass the captaincy to Auston,” he said.
As for contract talks, like his GM Tavares prefers to keep the details private for now.
“I want to stay. That’s my desire, to stay,” Tavares said. “But I think it’s best that those things are kind of kept behind closed doors.”