Quoting: Penguinstanleycup
I believe that Travares will be traded this December or January to either these team and you have a say who he will go to put it below
1. Carolina Hurricanes
2. Dallas Stars
3. Philadelphia Flyers
4. San Jose Sharks
5. Florida Panthers
(6. Winnipeg Jets).
I don't really see DAL, PHI, FLO, WIN, CAR making a hard push trading for Tavares. DAL simply can't until Spezza's contract expires and he'll be almost impossible to move with his NMC. PHI already have a bunch of centers, FLO doesn't have the cash due to their internal budget and them already paying huge money to Ekblad, Barkov, Huberdeau, Yandle. and WIN needs defense, their offense is just fine. CAR also have an internal budget, and they will be getting awfully close to the cap next year when Slavin and Pesce's big contracts start.
SJ is a realistic option! I would say STL will be one of the top contenders, and you can bet NYI neighbors (NJD and NYR) will be trying as well. and I can tell you that MTL will do as much as possible to stay in the mix, because they will have the cap to match almost any offer Tavares receives.
My TOP list
1.
New York Islanders - I still think him staying is the most likely, if NYI remain close to a playoff spot, 100% he stay, I highly doubt Tavares is the type of guy that would abandon his teammates mid season, especially if there are close to the playoffs, I've also never seen a Captain do that too. And he holds all the power as well, if he asks the team to wait till the offseason, NYI will do it, because Tavares is their franchise, and no matter what return the Islanders get if they trade him, if it's not a star player coming back, the team will get a name change to the Nordiques if you know what I mean.
2.
St-Louis Blues - If Tavares leaves, it's because he wants to win, and STL have basically everything he's looking for. With Stastny coming off the books, they will have the cap space, they have a strong defensive squad, good goaltending, and what better sales pitch to tell someone their linemate will be freakin Tarasenko! easy choice.
3.
San Jose Sharks - with Thornton coming off the books, SJ are almost carbon copies of STL, good D, great Goaltending, and California is a desirable place.
4.
New York Rangers - I put the Rangers because they are always after the top guy, ALWAYS! and I'm willing to bet NYR will manage to make cap space for him (Nash's $7.8mil cap hit is gone next year), extra bonus is that the team can say to Tavares that he doesn't have to move lol
5.
Montreal Canadiens - This is probably more wishful thinking, but you know MTL will do the whole historic sales pitch. "You would be the greatest forward MTL has had since Guy Lafleur! You will have endorsements until the end of your days! Blah blah blah same old same old. I think MTL best chances at Tavares is trading for him and extending him before he hits open market, because if he does, they''ll be too many other options where another teams will show to have a better roster and not have the taxes MTL has.