Molson says he discusses star players with Bergevin, 'including Tavares'
Geoff Molson said something he may come to regret.
The Montreal Canadiens owner admitted Monday that he and general manager Marc Bergevin hold discussions about star players, "including (John) Tavares," according to Richard Labbe of La Presse.
While the Canadiens' executives are certainly permitted to talk about the New York Islanders captain and other stars in private, making it public is another matter.
Wonder if Mr. Molson has any discussions with Bergevin about NHL tampering rules too https://t.co/7Zk1Y2r6oL
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) September 11, 2017
I'm sure the Habs owner and GM have had those discussions, by the way. Can't talk about other teams' players publicly though.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) September 11, 2017
The Vancouver Canucks were fined $50,000 in June 2016 after general manager Jim Benning publicly expressed an interest in acquiring then-Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban and Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos.
Related - Bergevin: Benning 'crossed the line' with Subban comments
Tavares has one year left on the six-year, $33-million extension he signed in the fall of 2011, and he'll become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2018 if he doesn't agree to a new pact beforehand.
Last month, Tavares said he was in no rush to sign an extension, and a couple of weeks later, TSN's Darren Dreger reported Tavares and the Islanders had not yet discussed the financial particulars of a potential new deal.