On the New York Islanders and John Tavares …
Steve Simmons of The Toronto Sun: At least half the league are likely planning to make pending free agent John Tavares an offer, but there is no certainty that he will be hitting the market. The Islanders could get him re-signed.
Tavares’s camp isn’t saying they will be available during the free agent window, they’re using ‘if’ as in “if we’re available,” which usually doesn’t happen for players who could be heading to July 1st.
Bringing in Lou Lamoriello definitely changes things – bringing in credibility and a professional silence to negotiations.
asked Mark Hunter if he’ll be joining Lamoriello in New York and he said: “There’s nothing going on at this time.”
On the Top 10 unrestricted free agent centers …
Sonny Sachdeva of Sportsnet: Looking at the top 10 UFA centers and potential fits for each free agent.
1. John Tavares – New York Islanders with a $5.5 million 2017-18 cap hit – Potential Fits: Montreal, Toronto, San Jose, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Vegas, New Jersey, St. Louis, NY Islanders
2. Paul Stastny – Winnipeg Jets with a $7 million 2017-18 cap hit – Potential Fits: Montreal, Toronto, San Jose, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Vegas, New Jersey, St. Louis, NY Islanders
3. Joe Thornton – San Jose Sharks with an $8 million 2017-18 cap hit – Potential Fits: Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg, San Jose.
4. Tyler Bozak – Toronto Maple Leafs with a $4.2 million 2017-18 cap hit – Potential Fits: Montreal, Vancouver, Winnipeg, San Jose, NY Islanders, New Jersey, St. Louis
5. Riley Nash – Boston Bruins with a $900,000 2017-18 cap hit – Potential Fits: Montreal, Vancouver, Buffalo, Chicago, Minnesota, Ottawa, Boston
6. Mark Letestu – Columbus Blue Jackets with a $1.8 million 2017-18 cap hit – Potential Fits: Montreal, Vancouver, Buffalo, Chicago, Minnesota, Ottawa, Boston
7. Derek Ryan – Carolina Hurricanes with a $1.425 million 2017-18 cap hit – Potential Fits: Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Boston, Chicago, Buffalo, Ottawa
8. Tomas Plekanec – Toronto Maple Leafs with a $6 million 2017-18 cap hit – Potential Fits: Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Boston, Chicago, Buffalo, Ottawa
9. Valtteri Filppula – Philadelphia Flyers with a $5 million 2017-18 cap hit – Potential Fits: Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Boston, Chicago, Buffalo, Ottawa
10. Jay Beagle – Washington Capitals with a $1.75 million 2017-18 cap hit – Potential Fits: Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Buffalo