Report: Thomas Vanek turns down Islanders' contract offer
The Islanders obtained Thomas Vanek from the Sabres in October. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Thomas Vanek is likely to be traded by the Islanders before the March 5 deadline after turning down a substantial contract offer, according to Arthur Staple of Newsday.
The offer reportedly is in the neighborhood of Vanek's current seven-year, $50 million deal that expires on June 30.
Steve Bartlett, Vanek's agent, told Newsday on Monday morning that he and Snow have not talked in the past several days. Bartlett said Vanek has not closed the door on the Islanders but added that his client "has no real deadline" to let the team know he intends to go to unrestricted free agency on July 1.
"I understand we're getting close to the time where Garth may feel he needs to act," Bartlett said.
The Islanders acquired the 30-year-old left wing from Buffalo last October in a trade for Matt Moulson, a conditional 2014 first-round pick and a 2015 second-round pick.
Vanek should draw interest from teams looking to make a playoff push.
"He's the kind of guy who'll have teams in on him who know they may not sign him long term," said one Western Conference executive whose team has inquired about Vanek. "He can obviously make a difference."
