Report: John Tavares never turned down $84 million from Islanders

New York Islanders’ rookie Josh Ho-Sang weighs in on the John Tavares 2018 free agency decision, and the acquisition of Jordan Eberle.

John Tavares hasn’t turned down an $84-million extension offer from the New York Islanders, according to Athur Staple of Newsday.

In fact, the two parties have “barely talked numbers” as Tavares heads into the final year of his contract.

The attention given to Tavares this season will be heavy as the 26-year-old heads into unrestricted free agency – did you know he grew up in Mississauga? – and Islanders fans have reason to be nervous.

 
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Staple suggests that getting Tavares inked won’t be a matter of money and years, but rather the long-term outlook for the team.

The Islanders have spent the past two seasons playing at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, but the team and venue haven’t quite meshed as one would have hoped.

The club is reportedly looking at Belmont Park, N.Y., as a potential site for a new arena, and Staple believes that getting a deal done there could help with getting the Tavares contract done.

There’s also the matter of on-ice performance, as the Islanders have won just one playoff round since drafted Tavares first overall in 2009.

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