Tavares Signs For Six

  The New York Islanders may have a lot of uncertainty in their future, but they can be certain now for sure that John Tavares will lead from the helm. The 2009 1st overall draft pick of the New York Islanders who is just one week shy of turning 21 signed on Thursday a highly anticipated contract extension of six years worth $33 million. Tavares will earn $4 million in the first year of the deal, $5 million the next, and $6 million in each of the remaining four years. Tavares has one year remaining on his entry-level contract, but the early extension points to good signs for the team and player.

"Obviously it was a priority to get John signed," General Manager Garth Snow said. "We could've waited another year to do that, but when you have a special player like John my own preference is to be proactive."

"This is where I wanted to live, play and ultimately lead our team to a Stanley Cup," Tavares said. "This was more about me being happy about being an Islander and wanting to be here for a long time," he continued. "We started talking, and once we were that close we felt like there was no reason to let it hang over our heads.”

  The deal comes just in time before the start of training camp, removing a large weight off of the shoulders and minds of Islanders faithful fans and staff, including general manager Garth Snow.

"We wanted to get it done before training camp." GM Garth Snow said on Thursday.

"It has been our goal to make sure we put the best team on the ice every night, and today we take another important step in ensuring this will continue," Snow said. "We are building a young core of players and are excited to see them commit to not only this organization, but to the Long Island community, as well.”
"John is a big part of our young core. He's a player who strives to be the best he can. From my perspective, I have no reservations in making a commitment like this with John and to any player that brings to the table what John brings both on and off the ice."

  Snows’ sentiments have been on display for NHL fans and players alike for two full seasons as Tavares has impressed mightily and improved in each year. The weight on his shoulders was not easy to bear for someone in their late teens coming into the best league in the world, and Tavares has exemplified the strongest of character on and off the ice.

  Critics have been tough at times on the Ontario native, but none of it has disrupted his focus. Nor has it limited his performance gains.

  Last season Tavares set a career high in points with 29 goals and 38 assists for 67 points in 79 games. In the World Championships he bettered his marks with 5 goals and 4 assists in 7 games, whereas he scored 7 goals with no assists the year prior. In 161 NHL games with the Islanders he has netted 53 goals and 68 assists for 121 points and a -31 rating. The young star has topped his team in points in each of his two seasons in the NHL.

  The best thing about Tavares is that he leads by example both on and off the ice. He won’t carry Ovechkin-like speed through the neutral zone and dangle the puck like Pavel Datsyuk, but instead plays a methodical game in which he sees the ice and the lanes open before they’re even there. He reads plays, makes those around him better, and has an uncanny ability to put it home.

  Just like Sidney Crosby is to the Penguins, or Rick Nash is to the Blue Jackets; John Tavares is to the Islanders. Drafted high at a young age Tavares came into the franchise as the future and has proved that he truly is. Considering the talent that’s at hand, this was a golden deal for the often times confused GM Snow to make.

  The Islanders have had a tough handful of years and likely have some more to come adding the uncertainty of the team and its’ ownership group. To have a young talent like Tavares along with a core group that has been gaining steam for him to lead, the future is starting to look brighter on the Island.

"The Stanley Cup is what we want," Tavares said. "That's what pushes us. That's what we're driven for. Obviously, sooner rather than later would be great. For us, this season it's one day at a time. Being a young team, we have a little bit more experience now. I think it's time for us to take that next step."

- Kendall Grubbs