Islanders on clock first with Tavares
Six teams remain in hunt for biggest prize out there on the free agent market
John Tavares is coming to Toronto. But just to take a break.
Having digested six presentations from suitor teams including the Maple Leafs, the Mississauga, Ont., native is back home while agent Pat Brisson prepares a short list for consideration heading into the start of NHL free agent frenzy beginning at noon Sunday.
His present employer, the New York Islanders, are under a tighter deadline. While they’d be the only club in position to offer the lucrative eight-year contract with some extra millions — as opposed to the seven-year max of their rivals — Tavares must let them know if he’d accept such an offer by midnight Saturday.
Representatives from Toronto, San Jose, Dallas, Boston, Tampa Bay and the Isles all visited with the 27-year-old Tavares this week.
DE HAAN READY TO PLAY
Islanders defenceman Calvin de Haan has been off the radar since before Christmas with season-ending shoulder surgery. Now skating the past two months, Sportsnet reports there is strong interest in the five-year veteran, whose US$3.3 million contract is up with the Islanders.
“We had the time to make sure things were done right,” de Haan said of his procedure. “You never want to get hurt. But we had nine months to make sure it healed. I feel better than before. We had the best shoulder doctor on the planet (Dr. Tony Miniaci). He was very positive.”
Andy Scott, de Haan’s agent, is passing on Miniaci’s reports to interested teams.
“Anyone who asks for them gets them,” Scott said.
MORE GROUND BREAKING
Hayley Wickenheiser’s next hockey horizon could be NHL player development.
The retired Canadian women’s star is a guest instructor for the Maple Leafs at their development camp and took a turn behind the bench Thursday for a scrimmage game. When new Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas approached her in the spring, they spoke about a future in development.
“I’ve leaned a lot and worked with some of these coaches (such as Mike Babcock), so it’s a familiar environment,” Wickenheiser said. “I’ve talked to Kyle a few times. He’s very open to diverse thinking. If there’s a role here for me, I’d be interested to see what happens and where it takes me.”
As for coaching, she’s not so sure. It should be noted she’s pursuing a medical school degree.
“That was probably a first for me,” she said in regard to Thursday’s coaching stint. “It’s hard to say. I think you’ll see (a female coach in the NHL) at some point, but it has to be the right person and a progressive organization.
“Right now I enjoy player development and working with individuals. The first day here, one of the players came up and said ‘we have a lot to learn from you.’ I have an 18-year-old son. I know the mentality of this age group and what they’re going through.”
CATCH UP CANADA
Wickenheiser was put on the spot as to whether the women’s hockey program in the U.S. had edged past the Canadians.
“In some respects, yes. We have to elevate within the program. think differently, look at the way we’re playing and developing if we want to be successful in the next four, eight and 12 years (Olympics). However, when it comes down to a gold medal game, Canada just as easily could’ve won that. The country that decides to elevate is the country that will make the next big step.”
LUCIC STAYING PUT
While Milan Lucic’s contract is often seen as too cumbersome for the Oilers, agent Gerry Johannson tells the Edmonton Journal his client is not leaving town as a recent rumour suggested. There are five years to go on the seven-year, $42 million deal and Lucic has a no-move clause.
“Milan didn’t ask for a trade and Peter (Chiarelli) 100 per cent, has not come to us about moving Milan,” Johansson said. “If he wants to get out from under the contract, he has to talk to us.”