Should Bruins Make Run At John Tavares If Boston Is On Free Agent’s List?

by NESN Staff on Sun, Jun 24, 2018 at 10:41PM

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One of the NHL’s most prolific scorers at center is hitting free agency this summer — and the Boston Bruins may be interested in his services.

New York Islanders center John Tavares is narrowing down the list of teams he will visit when NHL free agency opens July 1, and the Bruins could be in the mix, according to The Athletic’s Arthur Staple.

Tavares list just about finalized, it appears.
Leafs, Sharks, Stars are in, as mentioned a couple days ago. Believe the Bruins are in as well.
Canadiens and Vegas not on the list as of now.#Isles will get in there too, of course.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) June 25, 2018

Staple’s report comes after NBC Sports Boston’s Joe Haggerty suggested Boston would be interested in the Islanders star if the feeling is mutual.

Sense I get is Bruins haven’t yet been told they’re one of the teams in the John Tavares sweepstakes, but they would very much like to be. They’d definitely like to take a shot at it
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) June 24, 2018

The 27-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent after playing the first nine seasons of his career with the New York Islanders. He tallied 84 points (37 goals, 47 assists) in 82 games with the Isles this past season and has scored at least 24 goals in each of his NHL seasons.

Tavares’ talent is undeniable, but he won’t come cheap, likely commanding an annual salary north of $10 million. Adding Tavares to the roster would mean parting with at least two or three proven veterans such as David Krejci ($7.2 million projected salary in 2018-19) and David Backes ($6 million).

Tavares is a franchise center with a proven track record, though, so expect the B’s to at least explore possibilities if they have chance to sign him.

Boston general manager Don Sweeney would not confirm nor deny Boston’s reported interest this weekend.

Thumbnail photo via Robert Mayer/USA TODAY Sports Images