The John Tavares Sweepstakes have fully taken off, with five teams represented at his agent’s office in Los Angeles set to make their in-person pitches through Wednesday, and possibly one or two more set up with phone conversations. The group includes the Maple Leafs, Sharks, Stars, Bruins and Lightning — plus the Islanders. This is the listening period for the Isles captain before he can reach unrestricted free agency Sunday.
Tavares, who will be 28 when the season starts, has always said he wants to return to the Islanders. But after being the No. 1-overall pick in 2009 and knowing nothing but a mostly dysfunctional organization over the past nine years, Tavares has earned the right to at least listen to what’s out there.