Tavares: Islanders' struggles 'separate' from contract situation

With his New York Islanders unlikely to qualify for the playoffs, John Tavares remains focused on the daily grind of the NHL season.

That he's heading for yet another early offseason doesn't appear to be affecting his mindset in relation to his impending unrestricted free agency.

"Certainly, over the last couple of months, when things aren't going as well, it's never easy, no matter what," Tavares said, per Andrew Gross of Newsday. "But it's not something I try to think about a whole lot. To me, it's separate, the season and my contract situation. I don't really see them going hand in hand or having an effect on one another."

Since Jan. 1, the Islanders have posted an 11-17-6 record, and their 27 points over that period rank 27th. Trying to help the club get out of the tailspin and into playoff contention for only the fourth time in his career has been his singular focus.

"I just try to approach everything the same. It's mostly been trying to fight to get into the playoffs and get out of the rut we've been in for a little while," he said. "You just invest so much into each and every day and every game. That's the priority, not so much with what's going on with my future."

The Islanders' season wraps April 7 in Detroit, at which point Tavares will have plenty of time to think about his future. He can hit the open mark on July 1.

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