John Tavares is staying home. The centre from Oakville, Ont. signed a four-year, $18-million contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday.

"I wanted to make it work and find a way to make a deal that was very good for both sides," said Tavares, who produced 74 points in 75 games last season. "It never got to the point where I had to really look at other options and consider it."

Tavares scored more goals (38) than any other pending unrestricted free agent, but chose not to chase top dollar on the open market.

Tavares' new deal counts just $4.38 million against the salary cap per season, which is significantly less than what centre Brock Nelson, who scored 26 goals last year, just signed for with the Colorado Avalanche. Nelson's new three-year deal carries an annual average value of $7.5 million.

Dallas Stars centre Matt Duchene, who scored 30 goals last season, just signed a four-year extension with a $4.5 million annual average value.

"Even though I still left some money out there, I've done pretty well," Tavares said. "I'm still doing pretty well. I get to play for an amazing club and a great city — a place where I am from, and a team that has a real opportunity to win."

Tavares, who just completed a seven-year, $77 million contract, described feeling happy, grateful and a bit relieved after signing the deal on Friday.

Considering how thin the centre market is this year, Tavares likely would have been in demand had he remained unsigned.

"No doubt in my mind, there was more money for John outside of Toronto," said Leafs general manager Brad Treliving. "His commitment was to find a way to make it work for him in Toronto."

Tavares, who graciously passed the captaincy to Auston Matthews last summer, has lay down deep roots in Toronto since coming home. He launched a charitable foundation and welcomed three children into the world after signing here........

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