Will Snow’s departure as GM keep Isles star Tavares in New York?
All-star centre would be top target if he becomes a free-agent June 24
There was one new entry in the John Tavares sweepstakes Tuesday following the announcement that New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow and head coach Doug Weight have been relieved of their duties.
The announcement came less than 24 hours after a report that Tavares had talked to Lou Lamoriello, the hall of fame hockey executive who has assumed the general manager duties with the Islanders. It is believed to be the first contact between the player and the team since the season ended.
Lamoriello’s arrival last month revived hopes that the Islanders would be able to retain Tavares’ services. He is in line to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and he is expected to be the most sought-after player on the market.
While Tuesday’s developments are welcome news to long suffering Islanders fans, they are a blow to fans in Montreal, Toronto, San Jose and other teams hoping to add the all-star centre.
While teams can’t make a formal pitch to free agents until June 24, you can bet that the Canadiens and other teams have been putting together packages that might be attractive to Tavares. Money is believed to be a secondary consideration — he will attract offers in the US$10-million range wherever he signs — with Tavares looking for a team that’s ready to win.
Coming off a dismal season, the Canadiens don’t seem to fill that description, but it would be a much different team with Tavares plugging a hole in the middle and with a healthy Carey Price and Shea Weber at full strength.
Tavares’ disenchantment with the Islanders grew when Snow failed to make any improvements at the trade deadline. He added journeyman Brandon Davidson and Chris Wagner and the Islanders posted a 3-9-3 record in March.
“When it comes to talking to players, whether it be with contracts, whether it be personally or whether it be coaches, anything that has to do with their own situation, I will never comment about it,” Lamoriello said when asked about Tavares on May 22. “I haven’t lived in the past and won’t.
“I think everyone in the National Hockey League knows about John Tavares. He’s one of the elite players, a gentleman on and off the ice. He’s just a quality individual, as well as a quality player. I don’t know any better way of describing him.”