Tavares talks about potential trade to give the Leafs $11 million in cap relief

The Toronto Maple Leafs held their annual locker clean out and season ending media availability yesterday, albeit much later than they're used to. The Leafs, of course, finally made it out of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season but stubbed their toe in the second round losing in five games to the Florida Panthers.

Now, just like every offseason, the Leafs are left to pick up the pieces and move on except this offseason there are some serious considerations to make regarding the team's future. It's no secret that GM Kyle Dubas and head coach Sheldon Keefe are unsigned beyond this season and it remains to be seen what happens with their future in Toronto, but on the ice there are even bigger decisions to be made.

Superstar forwards Auston Matthews and William Nylander are both entering the final year of their contracts and are eligible for extensions this offseason. But... do they want to stay? Or do they want to test the market as free agents? 

Both players stated unequivocally today that they intend on staying in Toronto and would like to sign extensions before next season begins.

Now the only question is... who signs their contracts? Dubas or a new hire?

Speaking of contracts, team captain John Tavares, the owner of a whopping $11 million cap hit, was asked by the media for his thoughts on a potential trade to give the Leafs some cap relief but... well... let's just say the captain isn't changing locales anytime soon.

"I love it here. I made a commitment here for seven years to be a Leaf and I want to be here," Tavares said. "That's how I feel. I love being captain and take that responsibility very seriously and feel really fortunate and feel there is tremendous opportunity for our team in the near future."

There's no real reading between the lines here. It's clear that Tavares isn't interested in facilitating a trade and he's completely within his rights to stay in Toronto for the entirety of his deal given the clauses that he negotiated as a free agent.