Conflicting reports: Tavares may have rejected deal worth over $80 million.

  We have conflicting reports that may paint a very negative picture for the New York Islanders fan base.

According to a report from Jean-Charles Lajoie of 91,9 Sports, New York Islanders captain John Tavares has rejected an offer that would have paid him a whopping $84 million, presumably an 8 year deal at $10.5 million per season.

That report however has now been refuted by New York Islanders insider Arthur Staple. Staple claims that sources both close to the Islanders and Tavares himself have informed him that Tavares has not turned down any such offer. Additionally Staple reports that both sides have barely had any conversation about specific numbers.

While we don't doubt that Lajoie has his own sources, Staple is arguably the top Islanders insider in the business and is very rarely wrong when it comes to that team. For that reason we are inclined to side with his version of events, at least for the time being. 

That being said if Tavares did in fact turn down a deal worth over $80 million it would appear to suggest that he may not wish to remain an Islanders for much longer, and with all the problems that franchise currently has, it would be hard to blame him.

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