On the New York Islanders and John Tavares …
Arthur Staple of Newsday: John Tavares said he’s not losing any sleep that training camp is approaching and he doesn’t have a contract extension in place.
“For me, there’s really no rush,” Tavares told Newsday in a phone interview Wednesday morning. “I’m trying to determine things, let the process run its course, keep the lines of communication open, keep it all internal and it’s been good so far . . . In terms of signing a new contract, there’s a lot that goes into it. To really dive into all the details, get into all the conversations I’ve had with Garth , the team and Doug , I don’t think it’s productive to the situation and the negotiating. I prefer to keep it all internal, that’s the best way to keep it all open, honest and healthy.”
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Darren Dreger was WGR 550 radio yesterday John Tavares and the New York Islanders came up in the discussion.
“This one is interesting,” noted NHL Insider Darren Dreger during a Friday morning radio hit on Buffalo’s WGR 550 as the subject shifted to Tavares. “I can remember back during the regular season reporting that if Tavares didn’t have a deal essentially in the top drawer of Garth Snow’s office desk by June that there was a chance that he’d be traded. And then something changed. I think that that’s a comfort between John Tavares and the new ownership of the New York Islanders. Not to mention that I think he has a great relationship with Garth Snow, who did a lot of positive things to better the Islanders as a team during the offseason and around the NHL draft with the moves that he made.”
The Islanders acquired Jordan Eberle, moved Travis Hamonic for draft picks that could be used in a future trade, and protected young players in a deal with Vegas for the expansion draft. Dreger thinks that Islanders GM Garth Snow has showed Tavares that he’s trying to build a contender.
“So there doesn’t appear to be a sense of urgency. And according to John Tavares’ agent, Pat Brisson, they’re okay with that. It’s a little surprising to me, because again, no different than other high-level contract negotiations, some players don’t like going into the final year of the deal because of the distraction that comes along with it.