Anxiety thy name is New York Islanders nation.
John Tavares,was reportedly set to make a decision Friday to give the Islanders plenty of time to consider their options. Though general manager Lou Lamoriello is certainly prepared either way.
It is now Saturday past high noon in the4 east and still no word.
If one is looking for “crazy” look no further than the City of Angels. 
The Los Angeles Kings signed Drew Doughty to an eight-year contract extension. Hard to believe the mistakes of the New York Rangers for the last quarter century are now being visited upon the Kings.
“Rob Blake and Luc Robitaille, they took this job because they want to win and they want to transform this team into their winning ways again,” Doughty said. “Whether or not they do a lot in the offseason, I don’t know, but we have these young guys coming up that I think are going to make a difference. I think that shows me how much potential we have in the future and I’m good with it and I’m happy to hopefully re-sign here.”
Eight players over the age of 31 on the LA roster are nor consuming cap space of more than $54 million. It’s one thing to sign these long-term deals, it’s quite another to unload them when the players start to break down as they age beyond the wrong side of 40.
In Washington, John Carlson got his wishes grants with a new contract and his preferred head coach, Todd Reirden, who was hired Friday.
“We feel that the time is right for Todd to lead our hockey club,” Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said. “Based on his coaching experience, communication abilities, his approach to the game and the respect he commands in our locker room, we feel that Todd has earned this opportunity.
“Todd has played an integral part in helping lead our team to the Stanley Cup championship and we feel his appointment as head coach will enable our organization to transition seamlessly into next season and beyond.”
Of little surprise was the Winnipeg Jets trading away goalie Steve Mason,who saw limited action (and that’s being kind) for the Jets this past season. Mason, along with Joel Armia is headed to Montreal with two daft picks for Candien defenseman Simon Bourque.
The move of Mason freed up $4.1 million in annual cap space if the Jets want to sign Paul Stastny.
“Given our cap situation, there’s lots of moving parts,” Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said. “We had a great exit interview together, and that’s really my only assessment. Nothing’s changed in that regard. We know the cap number now and it’s time to go to work.”
Sunday starts the orgy of cash as free agency signing begins.
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