First, it was Steven Stamkos spurning the Toronto Maple Leafs to stay with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Now, another superstar forward says he isn't planning to play for his hometown team.
John Tavares put any lingering doubts about his future to rest and dashed the hopes of Maple Leafs fans in an interview Tuesday with Andrew Walker on Sportsnet 590 The FAN.
"I would not count on that," Tavares said after the host jokingly asked him what his favorite thing would be about playing in Toronto in 2018.
"I think I've always showed my commitment, my appreciation and my desire to play on Long Island," Tavares said. "I'd love for that to continue for the long haul. I think you look at some of the greatest players in the game, they have been able to spend their entire careers somewhere and I hope I'm in that same position."
Islanders co-owner John Ledecky said last week that Tavares is "not going to be a free agent" when his current contract expires. The captain has two seasons remaining on the six-year, $33-million extension he signed with New York in 2011.
"Obviously being from Toronto, people are going to make those connections," Tavares said." It is what it is. It's nothing I can control. I just want to go out there and be the best player and best person I can be for the Islanders, day in and day out, and I'm just going to focus on tomorrow and the upcoming season."
The 25-year-old has spent his entire seven-year career with the Islanders after being drafted first overall in 2009. Despite his age, Tavares already ranks 10th on the club's all-time list in goals (207) and eighth in power-play goals (64).
