The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has re-signed forward John Tavares to a four-year contract extension. The average annual value of the contract is $4.38 million. Tavares, 34,

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.

One of hockey’s most well-respected, well-rounded veterans gave his hometown team a hometown discount, a couple of younger players signed the longest contracts still available to them and trade dominos began falling Friday around the NHL.