I'm still trying to figure who this "great player" is that we lost. Last I checked Barzal is still here.

Just remember this guy was 2nd in scoring on a team you guys all crap on. And you can call this sour grapes but the boy has his flaws. You better win all your games in regulation because when he takes one of his patented 2 minute shifts in OT, you're gonna lose. If it gets to the shootout, get ready for him to skate in slow motion so he can make 40 moves and bury the puck into the goalies chest. And get ready for feast or famine with the points, 7 in 3 games one week for a 1st star of the week, scoreless in the other week. Boom, point a game.

So why did I personally want him back you ask? Cause we needed a 2nd line center and shutting you leaf fans up is worth 11 million in cap space.

But in the end you all will learn what the rest of North America already knows. Wearing that leaf doesn't make a player better than he is. In 5 years it'll be business as usual up there. You'll buy out the last 3 years of his contract and stink like you always do. Maybe then you'll all realize that your location is what makes your team relevant, and it's arrogance is what keeps it from any real success.
- Nyislesfan73

Aaaaaannnnnndddddd there it is!!! The JT sucked anyway comment.......so predictable

Welp....how's this?

Matthews
Marner
Liljegren
Bracco
Dermott
Grundstrom
Rasanen
Woll
Neilsen

do we need more?

This is 2015 - 2017 to only name a few.
- tornayle

Don’t give Hunter too much credit with guys taken at the top of the draft

Show me some mid round gems and then I’ll give Hunter some credit

Matthews, Marner and Nylander don’t count

Thanks👍👍👍
- kasperrko

Anytime! Good talking with a "Hockey" fan! If you ever find yourself on the Canadian side of the Detroit area I'd gladly buy you a nice refreshing cold Canadian brew!

JT's NEW TEAM

Matthews > Barzal
Marner > Lee
Marleau > Ladd
Nylander > Bailey
Kadri >
Brown >
Hyman >
Kapanen >

Reilly > Boychuk
Gardiner > Leddy
Zaitsev >

Andersson >>> Griess/Lehner/Halak?

It's not even close and you know it
- RoloTahmasee

This is so stupid.

Don’t give Hunter too much credit with guys taken at the top of the draft

Show me some mid round gems and then I’ll give Hunter some credit

Matthews, Marner and Nylander don’t count
- RoloTahmasee

Ok so take off Matthews and Marner.......

He said all the right things. What does that actually mean?

He never said he was staying.

Not one of his statements should have lead any of you to believe that he was staying.

And honestly...do you think his GF had any sway in his decision.

Fact is that he was offered an opportunity to play with his childhood team, a great group of young players and in a hockey town that is the centre of the hockey universe.

Sounds like sour grapes to me.
- giornolou

Let us know when you come the (frank) back down from Mount HighHorse

This is so stupid.
- ziggy_skalica

This is all those friggin mounties do is tell you all their players are better than all of yours, then just go ahead and lose in the first round.

This is all those friggin mounties do is tell you all their players are better than all of yours, then just go ahead and lose in the first round.
- TheSabresTaco

And now we are into racism......isn't this fun everyone?

And now we are into racism......isn't this fun everyone?
- tornayle

I had no idea Canadians were a different race than Americans. I'm interested. Go on.

And now we are into racism......isn't this fun everyone?
- tornayle

huh?

This is so stupid.
- ziggy_skalica

My guys are better than yours b/c I say so... not b/c of the stats that show I am wrong!!

Is it too much to expect some honesty? I believe everyone is entitled to that. I have no problem John leaving for his home but let the organization know so they can plan accordingly. I think all Leaf's fan would expect as much from their star players.
- gfrolek

He has been there for 9 years. 6 of those, way under marketvalue contract. Him not signing an extension through this all was all but saying "i am leaving"

I had no idea Canadians were a different race than Americans. I'm interested. Go on.
- TheSabresTaco

Ok, racism may be inaccurate......how about Zenophobic discrimination?

How do you know what he really said to ownership? Mayne he said he was leaving and they desperately tried to change his mind by changing the coach and GM

He has been there for 9 years. 6 of those, way under marketvalue contract. Him not signing an extension through this all was all but saying "i am leaving"
- joecool2931

The whole thing was mismanaged by both Isles management and JT. Both sides are to blame. The change in ownership, management and coaching staff probably didn't help.

How do you know what he really said to ownership? Mayne he said he was leaving and they desperately tried to change his mind by changing the coach and GM
- lileapers

THIS

The writing was on the wall, they were willingly blind for not seeing it

Oh this thread is amazing! Islanders fans are crying over their Captain leaving to play on a real team! This is rich!

BTW what an absolute ****show of a franchise they are since the 80's. You had a golden egg drop in your laps and proceeded to waste it. Why on earth would that guy stay in that dysfunctional atmosphere?

Mats Sundin wouldn't let us trade him either when we were garbage and he went to VANCOUVER the next year. Know what we did when he came back? Video tribute and a standing ovation. Thats how you treat a professional that gave you everything they had while they were there. Yeah it sucks when it happens to you but oh well, life is hard. Get a helmet.
- tornayle

Please don't call them a poop show.... Maple Leafs have done nothing since the 60's?????

do you need a hug?
- B.D. Gallof

You're letting your emotions get the best of you. Try to take emotion out of it.

Please don't call them a poop show.... Maple Leafs have done nothing since the 60's?????
- jimmc7722

Absolutely correct! But we are turning it around.

And since the 80's the Isls have been a poop show. Sorry to say.

So.... will the Islanders retire JTs #91 when it’s time?

This isn't about the Isles and Leafs…. it's about Tavares leaving.

Isles fans are fine with him leaving... but he should have given the team an option to trade him at the deadline.

Now he must live with it... for the rest of his life.

He must hate being called a Traitor... not a good thing to live with.

This isn't about the Isles and Leafs…. it's about Tavares leaving.

Isles fans are fine with him leaving... but he should have given the team an option to trade him at the deadline.

Now he must live with it... for the rest of his life.

He must hate being called a Traitor... not a good thing to live with.
- jimmc7722

Whaaa??? A little perspective here my friend.

No you guys clearly aren't good with him leaving and no he isn't a traitor....

Wowie

I understand that the Islanders fans are frustrated, that being said the leafs went through a similar situation with Mats Sundin. He is still recognized as an all time leaf great. I think a lot of the backlash J.T. has received is unfair, who wouldn’t want to play for their favourite team growing up.

This isn't about the Isles and Leafs…. it's about Tavares leaving.

Isles fans are fine with him leaving... but he should have given the team an option to trade him at the deadline.

Now he must live with it... for the rest of his life.

He must hate being called a Traitor... not a good thing to live with.
- jimmc7722

I am curious whether GMs in general will now be more careful about managing these situations. JT might of set a precedent how you deal with an upcoming star free agent.

I am curious whether GMs in general will now be more careful about managing these situations. JT might of set a precedent how you deal with an upcoming star free agent.
- ziggy_skalica

I think they already are but if a player wants to go...he's gonna go.

I don't understand why the "traitor" stuff comes up with him. Lots of players leave in FA. Why aren't they all traitors?