Dallas Stars: Should the Stars sign John Tavares?
By Carl Daley
![NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 26: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders reacts in the third period against the Florida Panthers during their game at Barclays Center on March 26, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 26: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders reacts in the third period against the Florida Panthers during their game at Barclays Center on March 26, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/c98f19bcf07683ec118f808795108449b58825ce2c7a943675307607c5449b53.jpg)
The Dallas Stars could be a few days away from landing the greatest free agent of the 2018 NHL class. But should the Stars sign John Tavares?
The Dallas Stars have to wait until July 1st to sign Tyler Seguin to an extension but that is not the only move on the horizon for the Stars. Dallas is on a short list of teams that could land John Tavares, easily the most coveted free agent in recent history. How likely is that to happen? Let’s explore the possibilities.
Tavares is the hottest commodity on the NHL free agent market right now. He has a small list of teams he will do business with and the Dallas Stars made that list. There are only three other teams known at this time that have significant interest and they are the San Jose Sharks, New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
While the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins have reportedly met with him as well, it is unlikely they can offer him a big enough contract to lure him in. Maybe the Lightning gets rid of Ryan Callahan and/or Tyler Johnson but that would be a terrific way to remove some depth from their third and fourth lines.
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This is a pretty good sign for the Stars as they are easily the team with the highest upside and potential. Tavares playing with the likes of Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Alexander Radulov, among others would give this team some serious firepower.
Now while it will cost an arm and a leg to get Tavares to sign with the Dallas Stars the payoff could be huge. Tavares has been a franchise player for his entire career, other than a couple of injuries he has been a key playmaker for the Isles.
Even though the Isles have brought in some pieces that could make Tavares want to stay, the Dallas Stars still have a better roster. At 27 Tavares will have to make a decision, does he want a gigantic payday?
Does he want a Stanley Cup? Those two things are not necessarily synonymous. The Leafs, Sharks, and Isles will struggle to put together a competitive team come playoff time, while Dallas seems to be merely one piece away from making a big playoff push.
Tavares does not intend on bringing any other teams into the fold and will likely make his decision very soon. If you are Tavares how do you not want to join a roster that has Benn and Seguin on it plus a deep stash of quality role players.
He could also land the biggest contract (out of all of the teams that are playoff contenders) and that is a pretty nice place to be. Unless the Lightning move heaven and earth the Stars have to be the favorites to land Tavares.
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We will likely get our answer by Monday at the latest, stay tuned.