Tavares has made a comment about wanting to stay with the Maple Leafs.

With the New York Islanders visiting the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, former Islanders captain John Tavares issued an update on his pending free agency. 

In a report to NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger, he stated that his interest remains in a Maple Leaf reunion. 

“I’ve said it before, I would love to stay and hope it works out,” Tavares said. “I think that's my goal and my intention.” 

However, as he prepares for the possibility of hitting the market, it's a reminder for Islanders fans of his dubious departure from the team in 2018. 

In January of that season, he said, "I want to stay on Long Island.... I haven’t thought about being anywhere except with the Islanders.”

Tavares had previously gone on record saying that he was open to an Islanders reunion, but despite his intentions, was not moved ahead of the Trade Deadline to give him a chance to re-sign. However, the move wound up backfiring as Tavares signed with Toronto on July 1. 

Prior to the season's end, he said, "I just try to be myself. I try to approach it the way I feel best. I just try to give everything I have to this group for as long as it goes. Obviously, the season will end on Saturday. I want to go about it the right way and be the best captain I can be. When the time is right, it will all come to fruition, and it will all be over at the same time. It’s gotten to this point now. I can’t say how it’s going to go going forward.”

Tavares still has a decision to make and has seven months to make it. However, depending on how the market shapes up, it could be an ironic twist of fate.