The New York Islanders received Thomas Vanek in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres in October, but the winger is due to be a free agent at the end of this season and he hasn't committed to a long-term extension with the team. Vanek has yet to engage in serious discussions with general manager Garth Snow about a long-term deal, leading many fans to question whether or not he'll be back next season.
Vanek, 29, told SportsNet that he was in no rush to start negotiating a deal with Snow.
"I'm sure we'll talk, but I'm trying to stay out of it," Vanek told Newsday. "Until something gets close, I need to focus on the games."
Vanek was drafted by the Sabres with the fifth overall draft pick at the 2003 NHL Draft, and spent eight full seasons in Buffalo before he was traded to the Islanders on Oct. 27 in exchange for Matt Moulson, a conditional 2014 draft pick and a 2015 second round pick.
The report indicates that the sides have had initial talks but nothing too serious has come from them and the talks aren't considered as being heavy. The team and Vanek may re-establish talks at the end of February once the Winter Olympic break is over with depending on where the team stands at that point.
Vanek is a family man and will be looking for a long-term deal either with the Islanders or another team if he hits the market in July to secure stability for his family. Vanek has been playing with explosive center John Tavares this season, and their chemistry could lead to him wanting to stay in New York at seasons end.
Vanek was 4-5-9 in October with Buffalo before being traded to the Islanders where he has 12 tallies and 19 helpers for 31 points to give him a season total of 16 goals, 24 assists and 40 points.
Vanek reached the 40-goal scoring plateau twice with Buffalo in 2006-07 (43) and 2008-09 (40), but has made it to 30 goals just once in the last three full seasons.
The Islanders made the playoffs for the first time since 2006-07 last season in the 48-game lockout-shortened campaign, and will look to do it in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2002-03 and 2003-04, and it remains to be seen whether or not making the playoffs will influence Vanek's decision.
Vanek's future with New York is in doubt, but the winger is just focused on helping the Islanders (18-23-7, 43 points) win games and make it back to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
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