Unless he has an undying loyalty to San Jose, Thronton will ask for more. Same with Tavares, he won't settle for 10mil. Minimum is 12, could be as much as 14mil.

So what team is offering Tavares 12m?

From order of most likely to least likely :

-Islanders

-Vegas

-Montreal

-Carolina

-Vancouver

-San Jose

-Colorado

This is in acordance with 3 things, avalible cap space (post RFA signings), playoff chances going into the next year (Tavares doesn't want to jump a leaking boat for another one), and need, Does this team already have a #1 center? Is he going to become captain of said team, or do they already have leadership established?

Look, I'm not Tavares. I'm also extremely biased in where I would want him to go haha, so in the end, this is all speculation. He's old enough to make a big boy decision, and this decision will affect him for the next 7-8 years. He doesn't want to get it wrong, and I question San Jose. That's all.

Almost every team will offer JT 12 mill.

Saint Louis has shown some interest trying to spend money for a Center

You straight up forgot about DeMelo though, The sharks could only sign JT if Jumbo skrts

DeMelo is good but Heed will provide more firepower from the backend that the Sharks need and with less cap. On that basis, he's sadly gone. Will be a good 5th/6th D for around 1-2m.

Re Tavares:

-Islanders - yes, most likely due for the obvious reason however, it cant be a good situation and like most people i'm very surprised they have left a franchise player to get this close to free agency.

-Vegas - a likely front runner but will he make the jump to a team that has only 1 years history? I just can't see it being at the top of his list.

-Montreal - no chance, they are in a mess and no where near being a contender unless they make a real splash in free agency. Still don't see it being very attractive.

-Carolina - again, no chance. A team that has promise but has virtually no market and I can't see him wanting to arrive somewhere long-term that has so much uncertainty atm.

-Vancouver - now this is interesting. Up and coming. Could be a good team fit. Lots of cap space. But are they a strong cup challenger? I think that's what stops this deal.

-San Jose - strong core, strong management and always sniffing around the playoffs. Only downside is probably lack of a hockey market. Well, another, which is significantly worse is their ability to consistently chock at the playoffs.

-Colorado - logically, yes. Cap space, good young team, will give them 2 really good centres. On his list? I doubt it. One good year amongst several bad doesn't necessarily make them a challenger.

I'm not saying he signs with the Sharks (I am a Sharks fan after all) but there is a convincing argument.

Now, Jumbo is unlikely to take £2m but he might have to to stay. He has said recently in the news he will take less if Doug Wilson splashes the cash in free agency. I wouldn't be surprised to see a bonus laden deal here for the vet.

Tavares will likely fetch £12m but I just see the £10m mark as more appropriate. Nonetheless, I still have the cap space in my model and if he wants more, like most GMs, I'd find the space!