New York Islanders: John Tavares Would’ve Made More Money This Year

With the latest round of rumors about contracts being thrown out like $12.5 million for Artemi Panarin, bitter New York Islanders fans can take solace in the fact that John Tavares signed last year on this day for far less than he would have this year.

It is the one year anniversary of John Tavares signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs. All New York Islanders fans know the day and the image that pops into their heads when they think of it.

Tavares is a world-class talent, and yes, he spurned the New York Islanders for a return to Toronto last offseason. But he signed for seven years at $11 million per year, and if the early rumors this year are true, he missed out on $1.5 million or more per year if he had been a free agent this year.

The rumor so far is that Panarin will get upwards of $12.5 million per year for seven years. Panarin is a winger – a position that traditionally holds less value – and he could be making an extra $10.5 million over the course of the contract than JT.

You would have to imagine that Tavares would easily have matched that deal on the open market, and more likely beat it by $500k-$1 million AAV. With how money is being tossed around for guys like Kevin Hayes and Sergei Bobrovksy (reportedly), a player of Tavares’ talent would have cashed in.

This will make many resentful Isles faithful smile a little bit today (I’m not one of those fans, for the record, though it’s hard not to snicker a little bit), regardless of what happens with Panarin.

July 1st may mean something very different this year. Hopefully a big signing will help fans smile even more.

Yes, Tavares is laughing all the way to the bank, but for some of the Islanders fans out there on July 1st, you can take this little victory no matter what happens today.