By WFAN.com
The list of teams John Tavares is meeting with ahead of Sunday's start to free agency reportedly includes the Islanders, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Tavares will also talk with two or three other teams by phone, which could lead to additional meetings, Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic reported. The meeting will happen at the CAA sports agency offices in Los Angeles.
Confirmed teams that John Tavares will meet with this week at CAA offices in L.A.: Dallas, Boston, San Jose, Toronto, Tampa (plus of course NYI). The Tavares camp will also have conversations with 2-3 other teams over the phone and perhaps also meet with 1-2 of them.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 25, 2018Tavares' departure would be a devastating blow to an Islanders team that has enjoyed a wave of good news thus far this offseason. Joining the team in 2009 as the No. 1 overall draft pick, Tavares is a five-time All-Star who has amassed 272 goals and 349 points (621 points) over nine seasons. This past season, he had 37 goals and 47 assists for 84 points -- the second-highest output of his career.
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Still just 27, Tavares ranks fifth all-time in Islanders history in points and assists and seventh in goals.
The 6-foot-1 center informed the Islanders on Saturday that he will take meetings with other teams. Islanders president Lou Lamoriello said he respects Tavares' decision.
"I think he's earned every right to make whatever choice he has," Lamoriello said. "The most important thing is that we hope the decision is to be an Islander."
Tavares could command a contract of up to $12 million a year. The Islanders can offer him an eight-year deal, while other teams can only offer him seven-year contracts. Further, the Islanders recently acquired Stanley Cup-winning coach Barry Trotz and enjoyed a draft this past weekend that is receiving positive reviews.
