Thomas Vanek steers in a rebound as snubbed American linemate Kyle Okposo looks on.
Getty Images/Kathy Kmonicek

It looks like Thomas Vanek’s days as an Islander are numbered. The 30-year old star left wing Isles’ GM Garth Snow acquired from Buffalo on Oct. 27 in exchange for Matt Moulson, a conditional first and second rejected a recent offer to stay. According to Newsday’s Arthur Staple, Vanek turned down a substantial extension.

Rumored to be seven years $50 million, it appears Vanek plans to test the free agent market on July 1. That leaves Snow with little choice but to make him available. A similar situation to the one the Rangers are dealing with impending free agent Ryan Callahan, who turned down a five-year $30 million offer. With the Olympic roster freeze approaching, time is of the essence for both clubs. While Glen Sather gave a deadline, it’s uncertain whether Snow is under similar orders from Islanders owner Charles Wang.

With the Islanders currently on a five-game losing streak (0-4-1) sitting last in the Metro Division with 50 points, they trail Detroit by 10 points for the last wildcard. With 25 games left, they have to jump over six teams including the Devils, Capitals, Hurricanes and Flyers inside the division. Ten points can be made up. However, it’s unrealistic to think they’ll leapfrog the pack. With the trade deadline set for March 5, Snow can either move Vanek prior to the Olympic break or wait until play resumes.

The sad part is he’s produced playing on one of the league’s most lethal lines. Teamed with John Tavares and Kyle Okposo, Vanek has 15 goals and 23 assists totaling 38 points in 41 games since joining the Islanders. His combined total with the Sabres and Islanders is 19-28-47 over 54 contests. When Snow gambled prior to Halloween, he was banking on Vanek to help guarantee the Isles a top three spot in the Metro and make them playoff contenders. Instead, injuries to Evgeni Nabokov and Lubomir Visnovsky along with disappointing seasons from Josh Bailey (5-14-19) and Michael Grabner (9-11-20) have dampened expectations.

If Vanek is moved, the one saving grace is Snow should be able to recoup part of what he gave up. Nobody told him to risk first round and second round picks for a rental. There was no guarantee Vanek would stay. Unfortunately, where the team currently sits has precedence over Vanek recently expressing enjoyment playing with Tavares and Okposo. It didn’t help that they were swept by the Rangers in two competitive games including a crushing 2-1 defeat at Yankee Stadium.

What does the future hold for the Islanders? They’re still in the same position they started at the beginning of the season. Until Snow addresses goalie depth and team defense, you can’t take them seriously. With Nabokov and Andrew MacDonald unrestricted this summer and Vanek virtually gone, there are a lot of unanswered questions. What will the state of the franchise look like when they arrive in Brooklyn for 2015-16? That remains to be seen.