On James van Riemsdyk …
Frank Seravalli: James van Riemsdyk is waiting for the John Tavares ball to drop as several teams who are interested in him are also in the Tavares running.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are not one of those teams, and there hasn’t been much contact between the two sides.
More than 12 teams have contacted van Riemsdyk’s camp since the interview process got underway.
On the Boston Bruins …
Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports Boston: Sources are saying that the Boston Bruins have shown interest in right winger Michael Grabner. They had shown interest in Grabner several times over the past few seasons.
Their talk this time around may only have been a “check-in,” but it makes some sense with the Bruins involvement with John Tavares. Grabner may be a fallback if they don’t land Tavares.
Other potential fallbacks include James van Riemsdyk, Jeff Skinner, and Wayne Simmonds.
Grabner speed could fit nicely on the second line with David Krejci, or if they move David Pastrnak to Krejci’s lines, Grabner could slot in with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand.
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Joe Smith of The Athletic: Though there have been reports that if John Tavares doesn’t re-sign with the Islanders that the San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs are the top two candidates, but there is a dark horse.
“Tampa’s a dark horse,” said a source who has known Tavares for a long time.
The Lightning are also still interested in Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson. They’ve spoken with other pending free agents other than John Tavares.
On the Lightning’s need list may be a right-handed defenseman and a help to their bottom six.
They’ve checked in on Anthony Duclair. James Neal may be looking for more term and money than the Lightning are willing to spend. Michael Grabner’s speed could be a fit. Center Antoine Vermette could be a bottom-six option depending on RFA Cedric Paquette.
The Lightning haven’t shown interest in Austin Czarnik, Daniel Carr or Patrick Maroon.