Report: Thomas Vanek Rejects New York Islanders’ ‘Substantial’ Contract Offer

Thomas Vanek’s days as a left winger for the New York Islanders are numbered, as he has reportedly turned down a “substantial” contract offer from the team.

Arthur Staple of Newsday reports that the Islanders offered Vanek a contract comparable to his present seven-year, $50 million deal, which expires at the end of June.

Vanek, who was traded to the Islanders by the Buffalo Sabres earlier this season, may very well be traded by the March 5 deadline.

The Islanders are struggling to stay afloat this season with a staggering 28 losses, and Vanek leaving signifies more trouble ahead. A soon-to-be unrestricted free agent, Vanek is going to test the market this summer, but his agent insists that he has not ruled out the idea of playing for the Islanders in the future.

Vanek will serve as captain of Austria’s 2014 Olympic hockey team.