Maple Leafs' Captain Decision Could Impact $77 Million Forward's Future

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a significant leadership change, stripping veteran and Toronto native John Tavares of his captaincy and giving the "C" to superstar center Auston Matthews ahead of the 2024-25 season.

As Matthews becomes the 26th captain in franchise history following Tavares, who held the role from 2019 to 2023, the latter is about to embark on the final season of his seven-year deal with the Maple Leafs... although his future might still be linked to the Canadian organization.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman first reported the potential aftermath of the captaincy change on the August 14 episode of the "32 Thoughts" podcast . He noted ongoing discussions between the Leafs and Tavares about a potential contract extension, which could be part of an agreement between Tavares and the franchise linked to having to surrender his "C" so Matthews could get it.

“One of the things I still think is in play for Tavares is a potential extension,” Friedman said. “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.”

The Athletic's James Mirtle was on Sportsnet 590 The FAN on August 14 and shared similar information.

“I suspect that as part of this captaincy change talk, they have said we’re open to an extension.”

Tavares is entering the final year of his seven-year, $77 million contract, one he initially signed when he first joined the Leafs in 2018 after nine seasons with the New York Islanders. Although he was signed to lead the franchise to postseason glory, it's been a mediocre-at-best tenure for him in Toronto with only one series win in eight years.

Tavares led the Leafs to a playoff series victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023, their first since 2004. However, Toronto failed to advance beyond the second round that year and was eliminated in the first round in previous seasons and this year under Tavares’s captaincy.

Tavares expressed his support for Matthews as the younger center takes on the captain role, saying on August 14, “He’s got my full support to continue what when I came here six years ago to do and wanting to bring the Stanley Cup back here to Toronto and finding a way to do that,” he added.

By handing out his captaincy to Matthews, the consensus belief is that Tavares has some sort of pre-arrangement in place for a contract extension agreement with the Maple Leafs. That would allow him to extend his tenure in Toronto once his current deal runs out next July.

Tavares won't be the captain anymore, but in exchange, he gets to keep playing for his hometown franchise even at a discount under his current $11 million AAV.

Related: Maple Leafs' Captain Change Draws Blunt Reaction From Ex-NHL Player