On the New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Ben Bishop and Scott Darling …
TSN’s Insider Trading: Darren Dreger: Jonathan Tavares’ future with the New York Islanders should be known by June. He can’t sign a contract extension before July 1st, but there is a trade scenario that could end up happening. What if contract talks don’t go as well as they are expecting? What if Tavares doesn’t like the direction ownership wants to go? The Islanders may get the most value for Tavares at the draft. Not saying that a trade is more likely than him re-signing, but it should be dealt with before July 1st.
Pierre LeBrun: The Anaheim Ducks have held preliminary talks with Cam Fowler‘s camp. Fowler has a year left on his deal. The Ducks need to know by the expansion where they sit with Fowler. If they don’t think they will be able to re-sign him, they might as well protect someone else and trade Fowler.
Bob McKenzie: If North Dakota loses the weekend, the Vancouver Canucks could look to sign Brock Boeser. The Canucks don’t have a problem in burning a year of his entry-level deal.
Pierre LeBrun: Brian Elliott would likely want to re-sign with the Calgary Flames, but right now the Flames don’t want any distractions and want to deal with it after the season.
Darren Dreger: There are at least a half dozen teams that are expected to show considerable interest in pending free agent goalie Ben Bishop.
Pierre LeBrun: Bishop will probably make the most money as a free agent goalie, but Scott Darling may be the most intriguing name. A UFA who is looking to become a No. 1 goalie, and teams like the Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars have Darling high on their shopping list. Some scouts think that Darling could be the next Cam Talbot, a goalie ready to make the jump to No. 1 status.