DALLAS — This always seemed inevitable, but now that it’s clear John Tavares is going to meet with five teams during the free-agent courting period that starts on Sunday, the ground on which the Islanders stand is starting to shake just a little.
Tavares made his declaration about the meetings on Saturday during the second round of the draft, but Islanders brass remained optimistic Tavares is going to re-sign before reaching unrestricted free agency on July 1. New Islanders president Lou Lamoriello also made it clear he respects the fact that Tavares earned the right to see what’s out there.