On the New York Islanders …
Andy Griziano: “Pretty simple as it stands currently re: Tavares. Organizational ownership secure, practice rink five minutes away, new building approved 15 miles away, cap space no issue, contract length no issue…becomes all about how he feels about team’s chances to win.”
Jim Baumbach: “Re Barclays Center opt-out, now the 1/30 deadline means nothing. Of course they’re opting out. The date that matters is 1/1 – that’s when negotiating window on amending the lease (aka new short term deal) closes. They could always extend the window, too. But that’s the next date.”
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Darren Dreger on TSN 1050 after the report that the Islanders won the bid for their Belmont Park arena proposal. This could be good news for the re-signing of John Tavares.
“So if they can actually get this done, and it sounds like today’s announcement is a huge step in that direction, then I think that bodes well for Tavares potentially staying there long term.”
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“I think so,” agreed Dreger. “Again, he’s earned his right to unrestricted free agency if he opts to go down that path. To my knowledge, and we check on this on a weekly basis, there hasn’t been any new dialog between Pat Brisson and Garth Snow of the New York Islanders.”
Pierre LeBrun was on TSN 1040 yesterday afternoon and noted that when he spoke with John Tavares two weeks ago, Tavares said that the arena issues wasn’t the only factor in him signing a contract extension, but it was important.
“There’s no question I think that the reason there had not been any contract talks all of the off-season and really leading up to now is that I think he wanted to get an idea of where that was headed.
“It’ll be interesting now as they move forward how they decide to proceed, given the news that they’ve gotten, because will he feel that it’s a distraction to start talking during the season? Will he still want to wait after the season, or does this cement it and does he gives Pat Brisson, his agent, the green light to get going.”