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Does a team want to add? Subtract? Should they sit still? Does a team on the outside want to add another piece that might help vault it into playoff position? Decisions made in the next seven weeks will go a long way in charting the future course.

Sooner or later the first domino will fall and there will be a push to get deals done.

OFF THE GLASS

There’s talk the New York Islanders are getting more and more nervous about the future of captain John Tavares, who has a cap hit of $5.5 million in the final year of his contract. There is talk Tavares’ camp isn’t keen on talking about a deal during the season, which doesn’t help if the Isles are listening to trade offers. They went into Saturday’s game against the New Jersey Devils only two points out of the final wildcard spot in the East, so Tavares isn’t going anywhere if they stay close. This will be an interesting situation to until the end of February … San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson has been calling looking for a forward.

Photo by Paul Vernon / AP

AROUND THE BOARDS

Senators general manager Pierre Dorion has spent lots of time on the phone and plenty of counterparts are willing to help if Dorion wants to trade, but don’t expect anything before the club’s scouting meetings. There’s interest in forwards Mike Hoffman, Zack Smith and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, while a few teams have called about defenceman Cody Ceci. One player who won’t be moved is centre Derick Brassard. Teams have called because of his ability to perform in the post-season, but the Senators feel he’s part of the solution. The Blues have shown interest in Hoffman and had a scout in the building for the Senators’ Friday night against the Sharks, when Brassard scored for the first time in 14 games. Veteran Johnny Oduya, who will receive a $250,000 bonus if he hits the 41-game mark after the Senators return from their mandated break later this month, will likely be moved to a contender looking for defensive help. His experience would be a good asset for anybody down the stretch … You have to wonder what’s next for the Calgary Flames and 45-year-old forward Jaromir Jagr, who is day-to-day with an unspecified injury. Jagr has only had a limited role when he has been in the lineup, plus he missed training camp, which was important for him. It’s believed Jagr could be released by the Flames to play for the Czech team at the Winter Olympics but everybody is being tight-lipped. Flames general manager Brad Treliving has been sniffing around for forward help.