Rumor: Tarasenko circles back, is linked to two new teams in free agent rumors

According to a report from Lyle Richardson of The Hockey News, free agent forward Vladimir Tarasenko has turned down contract offers from the Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators, Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks.

Further, Richardson reports that the deals were worth between $5.5 million and $6 million per season.

Interestingly enough, Richardson reports that while Tarasenko turned down offers from those four teams he and his new agent JP Barry have reached out back to those teams to restart contract negotiations. To me, it sounds like Tarasenko's previous agent overplayed his hand a bit and expected there to be more interest for his client. It's very possible that the Hurricanes, Predators, Senators and Sharks are simply not interested anymore. I could certainly see that being the case for the Hurricanes and Predators in particular as both teams have loaded up in the offseason's opening month.

Richardson also reports that there's a sense that Tarasenko could have interest in the New York islanders and/or the Florida Panthers. Given salary cap limitations for both of these teams though, it seems like it would be difficult to get Tarasenko under contract. The real problem is that there are only nine teams in the entire league who have the $5-$6 million in cap space to add Tarasenko without making roster changes.