New York Islanders and John Tavares deserved better than each other
The New York Islanders are in a very bad place right now and John Tavares is at fault
In case you haven’t heard the news, John Tavares has signed a seven-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The long-time New York Islanders captain will be putting on a different sweater next year. While it’s his right to choose where he wants to play, the former Isles center does not come out of this looking good. And neither do the Isles.
Did the Islanders deserve to lose Tavares? You could argue that, for sure. After all, it took them until June of 2018 to finally get their act together. The Islanders, after tolerating way too much from Garth Snow, hired Lou Lamoriello to take over their front office. They even brought in head coach Barry Trotz. signing him to a rare five-year deal. The Islanders did everything they could to show Tavares they are serious about contending.
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And yet, Tavares left without a whisper. He led the Isles along, saying all the right things about sticking around. To be fair, any free agent to be would say that. But Tavares reportedly asked the team to not trade him at the deadline.
While Tavares deserved the right to choose where he wanted to go, he did it in a very unprofessional manner. Sure, the Islanders suddenly addressing their need for a head honcho in the front office was huge. But that’s like telling your wife “we need marriage counseling” after she has already called a divorce lawyer.
Tavares could have handled this much better. The Islanders should have found out he wasn’t returning the moment their captain decided that. Preferably before July 1. Though the Islanders future is still somewhat bright thanks to a strong draft, it’s hard to see them being competitive next season without Tavares.
The Isles could have handled it better too. They let Tavares run the asylum. Former general manager Garth Snow is to blame for not drawing a line in the sand with him. Losing Tavares for nothing is heartbreaking for the franchise and the fans. And it’s something that was completely preventable on both sides.
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It was his right to choose which team he signed with. But by not informing the Islanders about his decisions beforehand, Tavares does not look good coming out of this. And Snow comes out of this looking even worse. The Islanders, however, at least have Mathew Barzal and a number of good young players. Plus, they’ve got Lamoriello running the front office and Trotz behind the bench. The Isles might suffer short-term, but long-term, losing Tavares won’t leave them in a horrible position.
This is a tragic ending for both parties. There was supposed to be a Hollywood ending. Preferably one with Tavares raising the Stanley Cup, much like Alex Ovechkin did, after bringing home the Stanley Cup to a franchise thirsty for one. It’s a horrible ending for both parties, but especially the Islanders, who lose their face of the franchise.
Time heals all wounds. Maybe Tavares will play for the Islanders again some day. But the relationship has been destroyed, for now. And both sides have no one to blame for this horrible, tragic ending than themselves.