Tavares will speak with 5 teams during UFA interview period

Big news came from the NHL draft floor Saturday, as New York Islanders forward John Tavares will use next week's interview period to speak with five teams, his agent Pat Brisson confirmed to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.

Tavares can begin talking with interested teams Monday - one week out from July 1, when he's set to become an unrestricted free agent. The fact Tavares has elected to speak with other teams does not rule out the possibility that he could re-sign with the Islanders, as LeBrun notes.

While nothing is confirmed, the Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, and Dallas Stars are reportedly expected to be among the teams Tavares meets with on Monday or Tuesday, according to Arthur Staple of The Athletic. Staple speculates that the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights could talk to him as well.

Tavares is coming off his ninth season with the Islanders. He tallied 37 goals and 84 points in 82 games for the second-most productive campaign of his career.

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