Tavares and who else? Free-agent frenzy arrives

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.

Trying to show Tavares how serious they are about winning, the Islanders hired Stanley Cupwinning coach Barry Trotz and Stanley Cup-winning president of hockey operations Lou Lamoriello. New York can sign Tavares to an eight-year contract, too, one year more than any other team in the league can give him. The Islanders can invest $80-plus million US to help convince their franchise star to stay.

Tavares, though, might want to take his two-way talents elsewhere because he has made it to the playoffs just three times in his nine-year career, advancing only once. 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. Tavares can command a sevenyear contract for perhaps more than $70 million US from any of the teams trying to lure him away from the Islanders.

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said the Tavares situation is holding back other free agents, not knowing how high he will set the bar for salaries, and delaying trades.

“I think it’s holding up the hockey world a certain amount,” Hextall said Friday.

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. The 29-year-old winger had a career-high 36 goals last season, his sixth in Toronto and ninth in the league. 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 Las Vegas Golden Knights. He added nine point during their post-season run. JAMES NEAL The three-time all-star had a career-high 11 post-season points during the Vegas run to the Stanley Cup final. The 30-year-old winger keeps himself in great shape and leads on and off the ice. PAUL STASTNY The 32-year-old centre had a career-high 15 playoff points, helping the Winnipeg Jets reach the Western Conference final. The one-time all-star would be a solid Plan B for teams that whiff on their shot to sign Tavares. MIKE GREEN With Washington keeping John Carlson off the market, the 32-year-old Green might be the best defenceman available. Green had a neck injury last season in Detroit and that could concern some teams. TYLER BOZAK The 32-year-old Bozak has spent his entire career with the Maple Leafs, who might not be able to afford the solid centre with 365 career points.