What has always been true is only getting more so — the longer it goes without John Tavares signing a new contract with the Islanders, the more likely it is he is going to leave for the free-agent market come Sunday.
At this point, each of the teams with mutual interest have passed through the offices of his agent in Los Angeles. From all accounts, the in-person presentations from the Sharks, Maple Leafs, Bruins, Stars, and Lightning were all pretty enticing. Then, of course, the new brass of the Islanders got to make its own pitch, with team president Lou Lamoriello and newly hired coach Barry Trotz out in California to do the swaying.