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5 best fits for John Tavares in NHL free agency

By Luke Armstrong

(Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL and Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images) – image alterations performed by The Image Lab
(Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL and Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images) – image alterations performed by The Image Lab /
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RALEIGH, NC – APRIL 7: Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal that was assisted by Phillip Di Giuseppe #34 during an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 7, 2018 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – APRIL 7: Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal that was assisted by Phillip Di Giuseppe #34 during an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 7, 2018 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

3. Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have been a budget team for years. However, their new owner is now worth north of $1 billion. This could signal a major shift for the franchise if he gives new GM Don Waddell permission to spend towards the cap ceiling. With over $30 million in space after the cap raise, Carolina will be swimming in cash to spend on improving their team. Only one player currently on a contract is over the age over 30 and the team has an enviable, young blue line. This will allow them to devote major resources to fixing their forward and goaltending situations.

Despite finishing above .500, the team lucked out in the draft lottery and earned the second overall selection. With Buffalo more than likely taking Rasmus Dahlin, the Hurricanes will have the pleasure of hand-picking either Andrei Svechnikov or Filip Zadina. Both players project as future top-six forwards and would give Tavares a great wingman to play alongside for years to come. His signing may or may not make the Hurricanes contenders for a playoff spot as early as next year, but either way the future would be much brighter.

With a couple of decent goaltending prospects in the minors, Waddell could attempt to pry Pekka Rinne from the Predators now that it appears Juuse Saros may be ready to take over for Nashville. With just one year left on his current deal and coming off of a lackluster playoffs, Rinne would not be over-the-top expensive and could provide the Hurricanes with a short term solution to a major positional deficiency. Signing or not signing John Tavares would dictate the direction in which they go next year.

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