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5 NHL teams John Tavares should stay away from in 2018-19

By C.L. Kohuss

NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 31: New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) skates off the ice during the second period of the National Hockey League Game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Islanders on March 31, 2018, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 31: New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) skates off the ice during the second period of the National Hockey League Game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Islanders on March 31, 2018, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 07: Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers argues a third period call during the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on April 7, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers shut out the Rangers 5-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 07: Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers argues a third period call during the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on April 7, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers shut out the Rangers 5-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

3. New York Rangers

As of this moment, the New York Rangers are in a full rebuild mode, as evidenced by their selling the farm at this past season’s trade deadline. They also are in search of a new head coach after firing Alain Vigneault. So if Tavares is looking for a long-term deal of at least six to seven years while also wanting to compete annually for Stanley Cups, this isn’t the team to go for.

The Rangers could very well be competing again in the next three or four seasons, but that’s simply a guess at this point. Figure as well that 30-year-old Mats Zuccarello will probably be traded this upcoming season as he’s a free agent the following summer. This would seem the logical move for New York.

That is to say that, like with Vegas, Tavares would make an excellent young piece to build around for the next five years. But it makes no sense unless he’s only in it for the money. If that were the case, he should simply stay with the New York Islanders, which he very well could. And at this point in his career, we doubt Tavares is looking to wait around for five years before the team around him is well-balanced and ready to challenge for championships as opposed to first-round playoff exits. In fairness, the Rangers did gather a whole host of draft picks from their trades. But that makes no guarantee about next season, the season after, or three to four years down the line.

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