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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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CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 18: Brent Seabrook #7 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks across the ice in the second period against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center on March 18, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The St. Louis Blues defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-4. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 18: Brent Seabrook #7 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks across the ice in the second period against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center on March 18, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The St. Louis Blues defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-4. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2. Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks have almost no money to spend on a Tavares pursuit, but it doesn’t mean they can’t try. In fact, they probably will because, it’s the Blackhawks. If the salary cap rose to $80 million, they would have roughly $13 million to spend. That’s bare bones money for a guy of Tavares’ caliber. Chicago also has to sign three restricted free agents.

With the team missing the playoffs and actually finding itself at the bottom of the Central Division, expect changes to be made. That probably includes (and should include) doing something about that horrid Brent Seabrook contract, possibly the contract of Duncan Keith as well. Both are going on mid-thirties while making between $5 million and $7 million through 2023. The ‘Hawks could pursue trade partners to help with cap room, and retaining coach Joel Quenneville means they aren’t ready to be sellers just yet, though they have to know that making moves is the only path at competing next year.

This is really a move to avoid simply for the long-term effects. Playing with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews sounds incredible, but the lineup after that gets pretty thin. In two years goaltender Corey Crawford is a free agent. Chicago is likely to have to make even more moves to sign Alex Debrincat. Or they could trade him like they did with Artemi Panarin. Especially if Tavares is on the books for a huge $10 million a season.

This really isn’t an option we see happening anyway, at least not on his part. Chicago may try to clear cap room as they look to quickly get back to being contenders, but it isn’t worth it. In two or three seasons, they need to start rebuilding. Stay far away.

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