On the future of John Tavares …
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Brooks doesn’t see Steven Stamkos wanting to go through another rebuild and sign with the Maple Leafs. The Leafs created future cap space by trading Dion Phaneuf. So with the Leafs current rebuilding plan, and future cap space in mind, Brooks looks ahead to the potential free agent market after in 2018 – mainly John Tavares.Tavares will be 27-years old on July 1st, 2018.
Tavares is in year four of his six year deal that carries a cap-friendly $5.5 million cap hit.
Islanders ownership won’t build a practice facility in Brooklyn, inconveniencing the players to practice on the Island. Tavares and teammates may already be tired of this according to some reports, and it’s only the first year in Brooklyn.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman in “Headlines” …
- Wild’s GM Chuck Fletcher had been trying to make a trade to help turn the team around before he fired head coach Mike Yeo. Teams were asking for Charlie Coyle and Nino Neiderreiter and Fletcher doesn’t want to move them. The Wild did offer Jonas Brodin for Ryan Johansen.
Winnipeg will be getting an outdoor game, likely against Edmonton next October.
Toronto could be getting an outdoor game on January 1st against Detroit.
Hearing the Oilers don’t have any intention of trading Jordan Eberle before the trade deadline. Eberle has fit in well with Connor McDavid. Freidman thought they might move Eberle for a defenseman, but he doesn’t think it will happen now.
Andrew Ladd wants to stay in Winnipeg, but there have been no formal contract talks. They did have some talks this past week, and they will talk again before the deadline.
Alex Burrows is willing to waive his no-trade clause if the Canucks want to move him. Friedman isn’t sure what the market would be for him. He has one year left at a $4.5 million cap hit.