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.

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed veteran forward John Tavares to a four-year, $17.5 million extension, the NHL franchise announced Friday.

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.