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Sharks get their crack at John Tavares

June 26, 2018, 10:41 PM ET [11 Comments]
Steve Palumbo
San Jose Sharks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The San Jose Sharks have made it very clear that they are players in the free agent market this summer. From salary dumps to unsigned veterans waiting their turn, the Sharks have everything they need to make a splash and the first dip in the free agent pool begins - and ends - with John Tavares.

The Sharks have already extended Evander Kane, waived Paul Martin, acquired then traded Mike Hoffman and lost out on Ilya Kovalchuk to bitter rivals. It feels like Tavares or bust for the teal and black.

The San Jose contingency got their crack at Tavares today in Los Angeles. The group, that included a slew of players, GM Doug Wilson, Pete Deboer and owner Hasso Platner did their best song and dance for Tavares and agent Pat Brisson at the CAA offices. It's a ritual that will be repeated until all the potential suitors are done.

If nothing else, the whole spectacle is keeping us occupied until free agency officially begins on July 1.

Besides the Islanders, the Sharks are considered one of the favorites to land JT. San Jose can offer Tavares a competitive, cohesive unit that is highlighted by bonafide NHL stars Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns, Joe Thornton, Evander Kane, Logan Couture and a true starting goalie in Martin Jones. The $18.9 million in cap space won't hurt either.

The Islanders have another year on the contract, bagels, and beer. I'm not an expert, but I'm confident JT wants a chance to win a Stanley Cup - not get fat.

Only the Islanders can offer no.91 an eight-year contract, with everybody else handcuffed by a maximum of seven seasons. The asking price is rumored to start at around $11 million per season. Word on the street has it, New York already tabled an eight-year, $88-million offer. However it shakes out, Tavares is going to be a very, very rich man.

The entire spectacle is reminiscent of the charade orchestrated by the NBA during its free agency period which also begins on July 1. Sports reality TV at its best.

Consider this the NHL version of "The Decision."

Teams have a five-day negotiating window to work out the framework of a new deal with upcoming free agents before the market officially opens on Sunday. I hope JT makes a decision before then - if he chooses the Island, that decision could come as soon as Thursday.

I'm not sure where Tavares' head is at. Nobody does and if they say they do... THEY ARE LYING. What I do know is that San Jose's track record speaks for itself. The Islanders are definitely on the upswing, but the Sharks can compete for the Stanley Cup next season. The Sharks have missed the playoffs once since 2003 and they are legitimately a John Tavares away from being considered a Cup favorite. If he truly wants to win and win now the decision should be an easy one.

This won't hurt either. :)




Thanks for reading,
Steve
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