Tavares seen as a big fish in post-draft trade action

DALLAS — Ilya Kovalchuk signed with the Kings in his return to the NHL, the Hurricanes and Flames pulled off a five-player trade, and John Tavares now will explore different possibilities for his future.

After a dull first round of the draft, action picked up as teams laid the groundwork for more moves.

The biggest is Tavares, who will begin talking to other teams Sunday when the free agent negotiating period opens. The Islanders’ face of the franchise will reportedly meet with the Toronto, San Jose and three other teams before he can sign a contract next Sunday.

“He’s earned every right to make whatever choice he has,” Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said.

Tavares is the biggest fish in free agency, especially considering the Stanley Cupchampion Capitals were closing in on a deal to re-sign defenseman John Carlson.

Amid the fast-and-furious selecting in Rounds 2-7, Carolina acquired defenseman Dougie Hamilton, winger Micheal Ferland and prospect Adam Fox from Calgary for center Elias Lindholm and defenseman Noah Hanifin. After missing the playoffs the past nine seasons, the Hurricanes aren’t done dealing.

“We’ll stay busy,” Hurricanes GM Don Waddell said.

Only two trades involving players went down at the draft, including the Capitals clearing cap space for Carlson by sending backup goaltender Philipp Grubauer and defenseman Brooks Orpik to Colorado for a second-round pick. But even beyond Carolina — which could trade winger Jeff Skinner and defenseman Justin Faulk and will likely also get a goalie — the seeds were planted for several more moves over the next week.

One of those could include Montreal captain Max Pacioretty, who changed agents amid trade rumors.

Buffalo is also entertaining offers on center Ryan O’Reilly, and the Rangers are seeing what’s out there as they rebuild. “We have a lot going on,” Rangers GM Jeff Gorton said. “It didn’t seem like there were as many trades as in the last couple of years at the draft.”

Los Angeles got it done with Kovalchuk, signing him to a three-year contract with a $6.25 million cap hit. Boston GM Don Sweeney, who was in talks to sign the Olympic MVP, said going to three years ultimately sealed the deal for the Kings.

The Islanders, Maple Leafs, Sharks and others will try to do the same with Tavares, who almost certainly would get $10-plus million a season on a seven-year deal and fits into the category of players Wilson believes San Jose can get.

“We’re looking for difference-makers,” Wilson said.