Dan’s Daily Links: Carlson Paid, Bruins on Tavares List, Neal Leaving Las Vegas

For hockey fans, June 24 to early July is like Christmas Eve, the Super Bowl and after-prom rolled into one.

Every team has hope, anticipation, and excitement they will land the player who will put them over the top, so next year it is their captain swimming in a public fountain with the Stanley Cup. John Tavares has a list of five teams, and James Neal is apparently crossing one team off his list.

Yesterday began the listening period when teams and pending unrestricted free agents could begin to talk. So, here we go.

New Islanders President and GM Lou Lamoriello — or the Islanders’ highly rated draft — haven’t swayed Islanders captain and franchise center Tavares. Tavares will talk to five teams this week to gauge his future. One of those teams is shockingly the Boston Bruins. Arthur Staples of the Athletic first Tweeted it, and Boston fans went nuts. (Stanley Cup of Chowder).

John Carlson got PAID. The Capitals traded Brooks Orpik and Philip Grubauer to the Avalanche, Friday. Orpik was included to clear the necessary cap space to sign Carlson. (Japers Rink).

The golden misfits in Vegas may be breaking up already. Neal looks like he is on his way out (Sportsnet).

I will tell you first hand, hockey values being one of the boys. Often too much. Carolina got a very good player because Dougie Hamilton didn’t fit in with the boys (Yahoo Sports).

Carolina had a great weekend. They also Andrei Svechnikov with the second overall pick. And oh, by the way, Jeff Skinner declined draft day trades (TSN).

Check out PHN Extra for our NHL Draft coverage. Video of the top two picks, Wampum’s Stephen Johns talked about his contract and exclusive analysis about the Penguins’ lack of trades and of their picks (PHN Extra. Subscription required).

We will double dip for Sportsnet’s big draft takeaways, too (Sportsnet).

The Sabres fans aren’t celebrating after Buffalo selected Rasmus Dahlin first overall. Mike Harrington says the Sabres have a busy week ahead (Buffalo News).