Leaked Isles contract offer 'awkward' for Vanek

Ahead of Thursday night's game between his Montreal Canadiens and the New York Islanders, Thomas Vanek, via Newsday, reflects on his turning down a seven-year, $50 million contract offer from the Islanders in January. The news was leaked.

"It was awkward, and at the end of the day, I don't think it helped either side," Vanek said. "We negotiated and I thanked them for the offer and the faith they had in me, but my mind was set to go to July 1. Then it came out a few days later and that bugged me. But I'm not going to excuse my play at the end or anything because of that."

Vanek says he'll still consider the Islanders during free agency.

"Come July 1, I'm sure I'll think about it," he said. "Right now, once the deadline was over and I knew I couldn't get moved anymore, I left all that behind me. Bergevin has been great. He just told me to focus on this year. Our goal was to make the playoffs, which we accomplished. And now finish out the year good and make a run."

Some really complimentary quotes from Vanek toward the Isles' future, including why he thinks the team's strength down the middle could make them a contender down the road.

Source: Arthur Staple, Newsday

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