Tavares tops class of season’s potential free agents
Carlson, Neal, van Riemsdyk will garner plenty of interest should they hit open market
John Tavares is too busy trying to be the best New York Islanders captain he can be to devote any time fretting about whether he will be an Islander beyond this season.
“It’s been pretty easy because I get engulfed in each game, trying to be focused on being prepared,” Tavares said recently.
“There’s not that much time to worry about anything else.”
Tavares will be an unrestricted free agent unless the Islanders re-sign him before July 1. If he chooses free agency, he would be the most desirable player in the marketplace.
“I don’t try to read or watch a whole lot of what is being said,” Tavares said. “I know I’m trying to enjoy being with the Islanders, and hoping things get worked out.”
While money is always an issue in superstar negotiations, Tavares’ situ- ation is complicated by the uncertainty of the Islanders’ arena situation and the fact that the Islanders have won one playoff round in his first eight seasons with the team.
What the Islanders have going for them in these negotiations is that Tavares is having an exceptional season (18 goals and 37 points in 32 games) and the team is performing like a contender at 17-12-3.
“The communication with the organization has been great,” Tavares said. “I just need to do all I can for the team and let the process take its course.”
Regardless of whether Tavares reaches free agency, there will be a lineup of coveted players in this class:
John Carlson, Washington: The anticipated rise of the salary cap, maybe to $82 million (U.S.), could help the Capitals re-sign Carlson. If they don’t, this prized No. 1 defenceman could have a dozen or more suitors.
James Neal, Vegas: Neal has said he wants to stay in Nevada, and the Golden Knights don’t want to lose one of their most proven scorers. But agreement on the money isn’t guar-
anteed. Neal could do well in the open market.
James van Riemsdyk, Toronto: The word is the Maple Leafs would like to keep him. His consistency as a scorer fits well with the Leafs’ rebuilding.
Evander Kane, Buffalo: He has scored 48 goals in his first two seasons in Buffalo, and with 14 this year, could score 30 more this season. Plays with grit. But his off-ice behaviour will influence his desirability.
Josh Bailey, New York Islanders: He couldn’t have picked a more opportune time to have his game come together. Bailey has played impressively this season with five goals and 33 points. The question is whether the marketplace will trust his numbers. He’s playing with Tavares.
Mike Green, Detroit: With so many teams looking for an offensive defenceman, his value on the open market could be high. Green has 18 points in 31 games. Teams will overlook his defensive deficiencies.
Patric Hornqvist, Pittsburgh: He’s on his way to a fifth consecutive 20goal season and is a feisty antagonist. Paul Stastny, St. Louis: A responsible two-way centre who can match up effectively against top offensive players and still score 18-20 goals. Jonathan Marchessault, Vegas: Has scored 40 goals over his past 102 NHL games. Do we have your attention? The Golden Knights will try to keep him. Mikael Backlund, Calgary: Consider him the sleeper of this group. Capable of scoring 20 goals and producing 50 points.