Islanders' Ho-Sang hopes Tavares is happy whenever, wherever he signs

Joshua Ho-Sang isn't at all worried about John Tavares' contract situation.

The New York Islanders captain has yet to sign a contract extension since the window to do so opened July 1, and can become an unrestricted free agent next summer if an agreement isn't reached prior to that time. But as far as Ho-Sang is concerned, it's a personal decision that will be fully supported by those who know Tavares.

"I'll say it to anyone. If you care about John Tavares as a person, it doesn't really matter where he ends up," Ho-Sang said Monday at the BioSteel pro hockey camp, per Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun.

"It's about his personal happiness and well-being. Whatever decision he makes is foregone and you have to be happy for him at the end of the day. He's definitely leaning towards New York, he's said it multiple times. But he still has a year, no rush."

Speculation in regards to Tavares' future will run rampant until he decides one way or the other because the media wants him to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ho-Sang contends, according to NHL.com's Dave McCarthy.

But in the end, the young forward - who's looking to make a full-time jump to the Islanders - expects a Steven Stamkos type of resolution, where Tavares ends up sticking with the only team he's ever played for.

Ho-Sang added the situation won't affect Tavares' game in a negative way in the meantime.

"John's dealt with a lot his whole life, I don't think this is going to be anything to him really," he said. "If anything, I think he's going to score more."