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Top 10 NHL free agents to watch this offseason

By Hunter Hodies

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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DETROIT, MI – APRIL 07: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders follows the play against the Detroit Red Wings during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on April 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Islanders defeated the Wings 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Tavares
DETROIT, MI – APRIL 07: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders follows the play against the Detroit Red Wings during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on April 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Islanders defeated the Wings 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Tavares /

1. John Tavares

That was easy, right? John Tavares will hit the market on July 1 if the Islanders don’t sign him back, but he very well could remain in New York. Darren Dreger from TSN reported that he’s been in contact with the Islanders about an extension for the last couple weeks on Thursday afternoon:

This is the first news that has come out regarding Tavares talking to the Islanders about a deal as it’s been very quiet for awhile. If it doesn’t happen, though, many teams will line up to make offers. The Vegas Golden Knights have the cap space to make it work. San Jose could potentially swing it, as Doug Wilson is very aggressive, among others who have some cap to work with.

Either way, he’s going to get a huge pay day. This is one of the best forwards in the league. He’s likely going to get an eight-year contract worth over $10 million per season considering some of the numbers he’s put up. He’s a four-time 30 goal scorer, one of those coming this past season when he had 37 goals. He’s scored 20 goals each season he’s been in the league and other than the lockout-shortened season when he only had 47 points, the lowest point total he’s ever had was 54. That was his rookie year in 2009-2010 with New York.

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Tavares’ negotiations will be very interesting to track for the next couple weeks as free agency looms.

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