Larry Brooks of the NY Post: John Tavares keeps maintaining that he wants to remain with the NY Islanders, but it’s unclear why he hasn’t been signed to a long-term contract extension already. It doesn’t have anything to do with a no-trade clause and is probably not about term or money.
Has to be his concerns over the franchises future – either their team personnel and/or the lack of a future arena.
If Tavares were to hit free agency next July 1st, he would be the most talented player to do so since the salary cap was introduced.