Just about the most positive glimpse into the contract negotiations between the Islanders and star captain John Tavares came with a one-word answer from general manager Garth Snow.
Asked on Tuesday how he felt about where he stood with Tavares’ camp, Snow said: “Excellent.”
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Snow was speaking at a media luncheon with co-owner John Ledecky, as Tavares and the team prepared to leave for a three-game road trip through California starting Wednesday in Anaheim. Tavares is in the final year of his current contract, having decided not to sign a contract extension just yet.
So far it seems that financial numbers haven’t been discussed at any length, with the biggest factor in Tavares’ decision likely being the future home of the franchise, as they try to win a bid to build a new arena at Belmont Park. But Snow said he “was not going to speculate on that,” and just reiterated how much he wants Tavares to stay.
“I’ve said it all along, we drafted John at 18, and we think the world of him,” Snow said. “We want him to retire an Islander. He’s a first-class person and a first-class player. We all know that.”