Who get’s John Tavares?
The Fan 590: Nick Kypreos was on the radio and was asked about where does he think John Tavares will sign? Kypreos thinks he will sign with the San Jose Sharks as they have the best chance of winning right now. Tampa has the team but not the cap space to fit Tavares in without trading some significant pieces already on the team. Kypreos feels the Toronto Maple Leafs are still a work in progress and missing a #1 defenceman. We will likely find out on July 1 where Tavares will sign?
What happens if John Tavares does not sign with the Islanders?
The Athletic: Arthur Staple examines the New York Islanders’ options if John Tavares decides to sign elsewhere. With 13 players under contract and over $32 million in cap space, they could target free agents such as Paul Stastny or Tyler Bozak, or pursue a trade for a center like Buffalo’s Ryan O’Reilly.
Latest Artemi Panarin trade rumors
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen intends to meet with winger Artemi Panarin in Europe next month, not to beg the winger to re-sign but to plot out a strategy for dealing with next season (possibly his last in Columbus) with minimal distractions. “This would seem to suggest that Kekalainen is not expecting to trade Panarin this summer, but rather let him play into the final year of his current deal, which pays him $6 million per season,” said Portzline, who adds that could change if Kekalainen gets an acceptable offer. So far, all he’s received are offers including draft picks and top prospects, “not players who would help buffer the loss of Panarin’s offense from the lineup.”
