Report: Thomas Vanek Rejects Islanders Contract Offer
A day after the big game in New York, some potentially big news is coming from Long Island regarding winger Thomas Vanek’s future with the New York Islanders.
According to Arthur Staple of Newsday, Vanek has rejected a “substantial” contract offer made by the Islanders that would’ve kept him in the orange and blue for the future. Now, it appears as though, according to Staple, the Islanders will now look to move Vanek by the March 5 trade deadline.
Sources say Thomas Vanek has turned down a substantial offer from the #Isles, who will likely move him by Mar. 5 deadline. Story to come.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) February 3, 2014
This news comes just a week after a comments in Newsday by Vanek stating that he’s open to remaining in New York beyond this season.
From Newsday:
"“He’s been great, the team has been great. No one has put any pressure on me.“I know that we’re getting close [to the deadline] and that they want to know what I’m going to do. It’s a big decision that obviously isn’t just about me, it’s a big decision for my family, where we’re going to be.”There haven’t been any substantive contract talks between the two sides, which just adds to the limbo of the situation. But even though Vanek hasn’t indicated via his agent or directly to Snow whether he’d be willing to sign before July 1, saying that the Islanders “would definitely be on my list” when free agency begins could be seen as a sign he’s not crossing them off to force a trade.“Even if they traded me, sure,” Vanek said. “I like it here, it’s a good group of guys. This would be a place I’d consider if it gets to July 1.”"
The Islanders originally acquired Vanek in October for a conditional 2014 1st round pick, a 2015 2nd round pick and pending unrestricted free agent Matt Moulson. The Islanders had hoped that a pure goal scorer the caliber of Vanek would enjoy playing alongside a guy like John Tavares, and would decide to remain in New York.
Vanek is in the final year of a 7-year, $50-million contract he signed with Buffalo back in 2007, and with the salary cap expected to rise to $71 million next season, Vanek will demand, and likely get, much more than $50 million in his next contract.