June 20, 2025 | 2:00pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
LEAFS CONTINUE TALKS WITH KNIES, TAVARES
Getty Images
John Tavares, centre
The Toronto Maple Leafs remain engaged in contract negotiations with pending restricted free agent left wing Matthew Knies and pending unrestricted free agent centre John Tavares.
Talks between the Leafs and Knies’ camp are believed to revolve around a mid-term deal, in the three-to-five-year range, as is the player’s preference, though the Maple Leafs prefer to sign him to a long-term deal.
TFP’s David Pagnotta reported Friday afternoon that both sides also disagree with where conversations are, at this point in time, as one side believes a deal is far off, while the other does not share that same viewpoint.
The primary discrepancy appears to lie in the financial commitment, as the Leafs are believed to be looking in the $4 million to $5 million range, whereas Knies wants to be in the neighborhood of $7 million per season, depending on term.
It's all about perspective. Contract talks between Toronto and the Knies camp are active, but plenty of work remains. One side tells me they are not close to a new deal, while the other side disagrees. Still feel this falls in the 3-5 year range, whenever it gets done.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 20, 2025
In the case of Tavares, a deal in the three-year, $21 million ballpark is what Pagnotta initially reported as a likely target from the player’s side, though the Leafs are hoping to lower that AAV figure and could add extra term to offset the cap hit.
Talks continue between Leafs GM Brad Treliving and Tavares’ agent Pat Brisson, though it is unclear how close or far the two sides are.
As of Friday morning, a person with knowledge of negotiations told TFP they remain “in the process” of trying to hammer out a new contract.