Tavares and who else? Top names to watch in NHL free agency

The NHL’s best rarely make it to free agency.

Teams tend to re-sign their top players, keeping them off the market and on their rosters. That leaves a slew of solid veterans and journeymen available to the highest bidders trying to find a forward to play on a second or third line, a defenceman to be in a second pairing or perhaps a backup goaltender.

John Tavares this year is considered a top target, assuming the New York Islanders and their new leaders can’t persuade the 27-year-old centre to stay with the franchise that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2009. He had 84 points last season, two shy of his career high.

If the five-time All-Star chooses to leave, he has plenty of choices. Toronto, Boston, San Jose, Dallas and Tampa Bay are believed to be among his options.

Some other names to watch ahead of free agency, which begins Sunday:

JAMES VAN RIEMSDYK

The Maple Leafs would love to keep him at the right price, but they might have to let him go to potentially to have enough money to bring Tavares back home.

DAVID PERRON

The 30-year-old winger picked a good time to have a career year, with a career-high 50 assists and 66 points with the Vegas Golden Knights.

JAMES NEAL

The three-time All-Star had a career-high 11 post-season points during the Vegas run to the Stanley Cup Final.

TYLER BOZAK

The 32-year-old Bozak has spent his entire career with the Maple Leafs, who may not be able to afford the solid centre with 365 career points.