John Tavares will be the top option in NHL free agency this summer, but after spending his entire career with the New York Islanders, he’s ready to listen to pitches from other teams. The Islanders themselves are comfortable with that.
Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello isn’t reading anything into an announcement from Tavares’s agent that the former No. 1 pick will meet with five other teams once his contract officially expires.
“I have no disappointment. No discouragement. He’s earned every right to make whatever choice he has,” Lamoriello said, via Greg Wyshynski of ESPN. “The most important thing is that we hope in the end that he’s an Islander.
“I don’t look at it like it’s a surprise. I respect him. He has a right to do that. The important thing is that he’s an Islander at the end.”
The Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vegas Golden Knights are expected to challenge the Islanders for Tavares’s services. New York can be encouraged by the fact that Tavares has spoken of his interest in staying with the team.
Tavares is one of the NHL’s brightest stars and is hitting free agency at the age of 27. Even if he does ultimately stay in New York, he owes it to himself to listen to sales pitches.
