Lyle Richardson's weekly serves as a one-stop guide to the latest

Can't get enough NHL rumors? Lyle Richardson's weekly serves as a one-stop guide to the latest Sean Taylor Jersey rumblings around the league.With theIslanders' playoff hopes all but dashed, speculation is growing over the future of captain John Tavares. The 27-year-old center is due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Given his superstar stature, teams will be lining up if he decides to test the market.So far, there's little indication of progre s in contract discu sions between Tavares and Isles management. Both sides are believed to be waiting until season's end before engaging in serious talks. Still, the le s news about a po sible extension, the more conjecture over Tavares' future.NHL AWARDS: Last week, Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun for Tavares to stick with the Islanders, who've only reached the playoffs three times in the center's nine-season tenure.Simmons thinks theBlues andSharks could top the list of po sible suitors. Teams with salary cap space and a need for a center, such as the Red Wings, Canadiens,Devils,Rangers,Canucks andGolden Knightscould get into the bidding.Some of those clubs, however, might not be enticing to Tavares. The New York Post's Larry Brooks the longtime Isles captain would join the rival Rangers, especially now that they're commencing a rebuild.The same could be said for the Red Wings, Canadiens, and Canucks.If Tavares decides to test the market, a sign-and Clinton Portis Jersey -tradecould be po sible prior to July 1. Under that scenario, the Islanders re-sign him to an eight-year contract and then trade him to a club of his choosing. In that way, the Isles get something in return for a player they can't retain and the team landing Tavares gets him under contract for a year longer than the maximum of seven years for unrestricted free agents.Speaking last week on Buffalo's WGR 550, TSN's Darren Dreger pointed out prior to the start of the free agent period. The last significant sign-and-tradeoccurred in August 2005, when the Senators signed winger Marian Ho sa and hours later shipped him to the Thrashers.MORE: Po sible destinations for James van RiemsdykMaple Leafs left wing James van Riemsdyk is on a tear of late, tallying eight goals in his last fivegames. Sitting at a career-high 34goals, the 28-year-old is the Leafs' leading goal scorer this season.Given van Riemsdyk's eligibility for unrestricted free agent statusJuly 1, there's growing speculation in Toronto over his future Logan Thomas Jersey plans. Last week, TSN's Darren Dreger re-signing the winger could cost the Leafs over $6 million annually on a long-term deal.Dreger doubted the Leafs will go that high to keep van Riemsdyk in the fold. He pointed out they must also re-sign restricted free agent center William Nylander this summer and forwards Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner by next summer.Toronto has nearly $50 million invested in 16 players. With the salary cap anticipated to reach around $80 million for 2018-19, the Leafs could have up to $30 million in cap room. That would give them sufficient space to ink van Riemsdyk to a hefty raise and leave more than enough for Nylander plus any other additions or replacements as they see fit.SN Q&A: The Leafs, however, must take the long-term cost into account. Re-signing Matthews and Marner will take a significant chunk out of their cap payroll starting in 2019-20. Management could be reluctant to invest too much for too long in an older a set such as van Riemsdyk when they must lock up younger stars with more upside to long-term extensions before the Wes Martin Jersey summer of 2019.They could also wish to leave sufficient salary cap space available to bolster their blueline depth.Capitals defenseman John Carlson is slated to become a UFA this summer, while Ottawa's Erik Karl son, Los Angeles' Drew Doughty and Arizona's Oliver Ekman-Lar son are eligible in 2019.If van Riemsdyk hits the open market, there will be considerable interest in his services. On Tuesday, TSN's Mark Roe and Craig Button the Oilers,Hurricanes,Devils, Coyotes and Blue Jackets as po sible destinations. Roe also proposed the Sabres, Chase Roullier Jersey but Button doubted van Riemsdyk would have interest in joining a flawed Buffaloroster.Having a chance to skate alongside superstar center Connor McDavid could be tempting for van Riemsdyk. However, the demise of Milan Lucic this season could leave the Oilers reluctant about signing another high-priced free agent. While the Coyotes and Hurricanes have considerable cap room, van Riemsdyk might be unwilling to join rebuilding clubs at this stage in his career.That leaves the Blue Jackets and Devils as the best options. They're both playoff contenders and carry more than enough cap room to make a pitch for a top free agent in July. Related Articles John Tavares dilemma and the best of the rest in 2018 NHL free agency