There’s really only one thing New York Islanders fans care about right now, and, unfortunately for them, it isn’t whom a potential first-round playoff opponent might be. Instead, it’s the status of pending unrestricted free agent John Tavares.
The Islanders captain has remained tight-lipped about his off-season plans and didn’t waver from that mindset when speaking with reporters Wednesday, one day prior to the Islanders’ home finale — and possibly Tavares’ final home game in an Islanders uniform.
“My contract situation, I’ll start to think about it more and more in the days and weeks to come after the season,” Tavares said via Andrew Gross of Newsday. “I just try to approach [contract negotiations] all the same since my first one.”
The 27-year-old was selected first overall by the Islanders in 2009 and has been the heart of the franchise ever since, leading his team in scoring in all but one season (in 2013-14 when his year was cut short due to the knee injury suffered at Sochi 2014). Tavares’ relationship with the Islanders community could even end up being one of the determining factors when it comes to whether he’ll re-sign on Long Island or test the open market.
“The fan base has been tremendous since I got here,” Tavares said. “People say certain things. I hope it all works out, too, and I’m back as well. I just want to focus one game at a time and finishing the season strong and in the days and weeks ahead there will be plenty of time to think about it and start looking at the future and move forward.”
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