ISLANDERS

NEW YORK

The retention of captain and franchise center JOHN TAVARES is the tip-top priority for the Isles, who have to hold out hope the talented pivot weighs his UFA options and decides there’s no place like home. It would be devastating if he signs elsewhere and the Islanders have nothing to show for it. Aside from Tavares, GM Garth Snow must also make a decision on the goaltending, as it was a glaring weakness and Jaroslav Halak is a UFA. It’s hard to envision Halak coming back. On the blueline, Calvin de Haan poses an interesting UFA scenario, as he missed most of the season due to shoulder surgery, but he’s young and talented enough to make a difference.