from Andrew Gross of Newsday,
A league source indicated on Thursday there was no timetable for Tavares to make his decision but the clock is certainly ticking.
The NHL’s free agent market opens on Sunday following a five-day negotiation period.
The Islanders are the only team that can offer Tavares, the face of the franchise since he was selected first overall in 2009, an eight-year deal while the other teams are limited to seven-year offers. But that advantage expires on Sunday so it seems logical that if Tavares chooses to remain with the Islanders, he will agree to a deal before then.
The Islanders reportedly started the bidding with an eight-year, $88-million deal but the intense competition for his services means he may well receive a deal worth $12 million annually, if not more. The Islanders have an NHL-high $32.8 million in salary cap space, per CapFriendly.com.
If Tavares does reach the open market, he will become the highest-profile unrestricted free agent in NHL history.
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