TSN's Bryan Hayes blasts Leafs for rumored Tavares extension

The changing of the guard of the Toronto Maple Leafs became official this week, as John Tavares ceded the captaincy to Auston Matthews, now the 26th captain in franchise history. Tavares was given the "C" on his sweater in his second year with the Maple Leafs, marking the second team that he had captained after the New York Islanders. 

Tavares will be an assistant captain for the upcoming season, which is the final year of his current contract given to him by former GM Kyle Dubas in the summer of 2018. And already, there have been rumors that the Leafs are reportedly considering a contract extension for Tavares.

However, this isn't sitting right with one particular TSN analyst. While speaking with journalist Dave Feschuk and "NHL on TNT" analyst Eddie Olczyk, Bryan Hayes expressed disbelief that the Leafs are even entertaining the idea of their relationship with Tavares extending beyond 2024-25. 

"Well, and even putting the value aside, this is what I find a bit confusing," he said. "There’s this big debate over, alright, what should the number be? Before you even get to that, should he be here at all? Like, that's—again, the core four—this is where there’s a divide in the fan base, and there always will be." 

With Tavares on the Leafs, the team has been able to advance past Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on only a single occasion. In Hayes' mind, Toronto could be experiencing fatigue from the "Core 4" of Tavares, Matthews, William Nylander and Mitch Marner.

As you know, Matthews and Nylander are secured under contract for the next several seasons, while Tavares and Marner can become free agents next summer.

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