New York Islanders Mike Bossy John Tavares Rumor: Context Is Key

It seemed that once again New York Islanders legend Mike Bossy was in the hot seat for suggesting a rumor that Tavares had turned down a contract offer from the Islanders. If you listened to the interview, he did no such thing.

Yesterday New York Islanders Hall of Fame player Mike Bossy was on a Montreal radio station 91.9 Sports and shared some thoughts on the Tavares contract. Contrary to what we’ve heard so far, Mike was not the one to “report” Tavares had nixed two contract offers from the Isles.

Host Jean-Charles Lajoie is a career radio man with about as many connections int he hockey world or Long Island as you’d imagine. But according to Lajoie Tavares had said: “no, thanks” to not only an $82 million deal but an $84 million deal.

(You can listen to the entire Mike Bossy segment here. Warning, it’s all in French.)

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News To Everyone

Contract offers that were news to Islanders fandom because last we heard, Tavares and the Islanders had yet to even begin negotiations.

Just in June, we were told both the team and Tavares were content to enter the 2017-18 season without a deal worked out. Something that was later confirmed once again on Aug 29th by Newsday’s Arthur Staple via Twitter.

What Bossy said in the segment was that Tavares was likely waiting for a new arena deal. Which again, reflects everything we’ve heard up to date on the negotiations. I’ve maintained that thought consistently and so has Arthur Staple.

Again, Staple reiterated that from the chatter he’s heard, Tavares is waiting on the Belmont arena deal. An answer that might be another 5-7 months away is Staple’s colleague Randi Marshall is correct.

I say 5-7 because the window for application will remain open until September 28th.

To The Defense

If it sounds like I’m coming to Mike Bossy’s defense then you’ve read correctly. I’d hate to have his name slug in the mud because of what a radio DJ heard regarding John Tavares’ contract negotiations with the New York Islanders.

Mike Bossy initiated no speculation on Tavares and if anything he just reiterated what we’ve all been hearing from the start. Tavares is waiting for the arena deal.

Next: Should Isles Target Any RFAs With Offer Sheet?

One thing did stick out from the conversation regarding Tavares though. Bossy told both Jean-Charles Lavoie and co-host Yvon Pedneault that Barclays isn’t some hellish place. In fact, New York Rangers players have to travel the same distance to get to their practice arena and MSG. Music to my ears.