New York Islanders Daily: John Tavares List Updated

AMPA, FL - JANUARY 27: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders looks on during the Enterprise NHL Fastest Skater during the 2018 GEICO NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Amalie Arena on January 27, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
AMPA, FL - JANUARY 27: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders looks on during the Enterprise NHL Fastest Skater during the 2018 GEICO NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Amalie Arena on January 27, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

As John Tavares is set to listen to up to five other teams’ pitches, the New York Islanders captain had some surprise teams on the list.

New York Islanders fans are in a bit of a panic at the moment over John Tavares listening to pitches from five other teams. Some of the teams were expected to be on the list while others have come as a surprise.

Arthur Staple of The Athletic reported that the Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, and Dallas Stars are in as expected. Those are three teams we expected to Tavares to hear from, but there were some surprises along the way.

He went on to say that the Canadiens and Golden Knights aren’t on the list as of yet. Vegas not being there is a huge surprise, they have a ton of cap room and everyone believed they’d be players for Tavares and/or Karlsson.

Now, let’s talk about some of the surprises. The Boston Bruins are supposedly in as well. Boston’s name never really came up in the Tavares suitors before, but it doesn’t make a lot of sense. Boston is all set on the top line, they have one of if not the best top-line in the league with Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak.

Would Tavares really want to go to Boston and play on the second line with Jake Debrusk? I highly doubt it.

Staple also said that Nashville or Tampa Bay could round out Tavares’ list outside of the Islanders. Tampa only has $10.5 million in cap space at the moment so I’m not too sure how they’ll fit him, and Nashville has $12 million to work with.

Either of those two teams are going to be long shots because of the cap numbers. Of the teams listed above, I think I’m most worried about San Jose. This should definitely be an interesting week.

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