Back two seasons ago, as the heat was starting to get to Jack Capuano, he sat with Doug Weight griping over a myriad of issues facing the Islanders. He lamented the slow player development process, something he was right on...
however he was also contributing to it on the NHL level, as well.
But this part was something that seems apropos to what is going on right now as we wait with bated breath on John Tavares...
He was concerned on Tavares girlfriend and the fact he felt she wasn’t so enamored with Long Island. He was concerned on what the influence would be since free agency is such a long term and family-centric decision.
Of course, Cappy is long gone now. But the issues and JT’s decision now ride front and center.... and now with a totally new regime that is attempting to deal with it.
Though I held that he remains throughout this process since the spring of 2017 (and still do), I do think it is an element we must also face and absorb as he essentially “sees other people.”
He once told friends that he was moving from Manhasset to Garden City “So he could be closer to Belmont”. There we have another item, but in this one we hope it is right. That was a year ago.
A players free agency, especially an elite player, is a very complex process for all parties. It most certainly cost Garth Snow his job. It has caused considerable angst for fans along with the venue items. It is an added context and texture to everything that has gone on these last two seasons. It became a giant magnifying glass where the harsh light of UFA raised the heat exponentially.
Our emotions bucked and then buckled wildly all season as we faced another seasonal depression roller coaster. Now we are reaching the apex of this process...
Will he or won’t he? Bagels are being sent to LA to Pat Brisson’s office. Nobody knows what the answer is. It’s all in JT’s court... errr... rink now.
Tavares is a very loyal personality and player, something that has to be an item that added to his value for a team with many venue and reputation issues when they drafted him in 2009. So we all hope that that reigns supreme in the end.
No. Not a soul knows what’s going to happen. We cling to the pieces and items we can through this process.
In the end, the JT decision is a huge freight train that is rumbling through Isles fans souls who have been battered and bruised over the years. A franchise player who means a lot to Isles ownership who will need fans with something to come to when Belmont opens.
Even if he is 27, and facing what is an usual average of decline, the overall output and intangibles are too important to just let him head off into the distance. Long Island fans haven’t had much over the last few decades. There is simply an aspect that transcends many items and opinions that might argue, debate or ply pros and cons on price....
We need our star to remain an Islander.
Now we wait and hope that our star needs us.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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