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

Competent GM's already know how to handle situations like this.

Incompetent GM's and/or ownership don't know how to handle situations like this.

No doubt it was a difficult situation, but getting nothing for JT was incompetence and the excuse of "but..but...but...he said he'd be staying" doesn't cut it.

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
- tornayle

I can't speak for all Isles fans... but I personally wanted him traded at the deadline.

Not huge on 8 year contracts.

After 4 years... the contract will look very bad.

The problem on the Isles end was they finally got rid of Wang....

With new owners, Lou and Trotz in place... and the new arena.... things will move along nicely.


They were worst in the league in goals against.... Barry will help that before they even take the ice.

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

Yes, For Butch Goring.

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.
- Mayo79

Just when I thought it could not get any more absurd. Yeah, Sundin leaving for his final year in NHL at 37 years old was EXACLTY like this.. solid point.

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

The team could have traded him any time they wanted

They decided to play Roulette and lost

We're still waiting on a link to an article or video or radio where Tavares told said he was going to remain with the Islanders - not signing an extension is all the evidence required.

Also, I've heard some Islanders fans say that management chose not to trade him at the deadline because they wanted to push for a playoff spot and were hopeful they could resign him.

They probably would have resigned him if Toronto didn't come completely out of left field. I mean, the Leafs(after this season) are hurting for cap space. They already had one of the best #1C's in the league and one of the best #2C's in the league.

Nobody thought the Leafs had any serious interest - most likely including Tavares.

We're still waiting on a link to an article or video or radio where Tavares told said he was going to remain with the Islanders - not signing an extension is all the evidence required.

Also, I've heard some Islanders fans say that management chose not to trade him at the deadline because they wanted to push for a playoff spot and were hopeful they could resign him.

They probably would have resigned him if Toronto didn't come completely out of left field. I mean, the Leafs(after this season) are hurting for cap space. They already had one of the best #1C's in the league and one of the best #2C's in the league.

Nobody thought the Leafs had any serious interest - most likely including Tavares.
- Njuice

Not true

The answer always was (and still is) assuming Tavares was interested you give Nylanders money to Tavares and trade Nylander for assets

Look for Nylander to be moved this offseason, or more likely next offseason when Marner and Matthews get paid

The money Toronto budgeted long term for Nylander goes to Tavares

Excellent asset management

Time to move on. Tired of everyone saying we got fleeced, or we are doomed because of JT. Every player on the Isles let JT's contract situation get in the way last season. Im sure they are relieved as am I that it is over. Only sad thing that came out of this is we got nothing in return. JT was already a turtle and will only slow down. Based on the way the team played (soft) he did not appear to be much of a captain. Every single time he stepped on the ice I was thinking...….here comes a goal...against! NOT WORTH THE MONEY! we have better hope with the future prospects IMO.

Everyone also needs to remember that we had NO IDENTITY or SYSTEM with the past joke of a coach and gm. The fact that LOU and Trotz are here will mean this team plays better and more structured all around. I know our Defense was horrid but don't think for a second they will not be instantly better. We will not be as bad as people are talking about.

Everyone also needs to remember that we had NO IDENTITY or SYSTEM with the past joke of a coach and gm. The fact that LOU and Trotz are here will mean this team plays better and more structured all around. I know our Defense was horrid but don't think for a second they will not be instantly better. We will not be as bad as people are talking about.
- LItransplant44

You have 3 4th lines, questionable goaltending and an old and slow defense

Not gonna be bad, Gonna be Baaaaaaaaaaad......

You have 3 4th lines, questionable goaltending and an old and slow defense

Not gonna be bad, Gonna be Baaaaaaaaaaad......
- RoloTahmasee

You obviously do not watch the Isles. We have one old defenseman. Boychuk(34)…………. Pelech(24), Pulock(24), Mayfield(26), Leddy(25), Hickey(29). Toews(23), Aho(22).


You will see improvement from this group just from coaching alone. Not going to be as bad as you suggest.

We're still waiting on a link to an article or video or radio where Tavares told said he was going to remain with the Islanders - not signing an extension is all the evidence required.

Also, I've heard some Islanders fans say that management chose not to trade him at the deadline because they wanted to push for a playoff spot and were hopeful they could resign him.

They probably would have resigned him if Toronto didn't come completely out of left field. I mean, the Leafs(after this season) are hurting for cap space. They already had one of the best #1C's in the league and one of the best #2C's in the league.

Nobody thought the Leafs had any serious interest - most likely including Tavares.
- Njuice

Look, every time he was interviewed it was the same B.S....I never want to be anywhere else, blah blah blah...of course I'm paraphrasing, but that's the point he was making. Most Islander fans aren't upset that he left...it happens, but the more-so than his play, he's suppose to be a "character guy". He showed very little character, class or respect to this organization when he left...an organization which is doing all it can to become a credible. He undid all the good he did. Was it his choice? Absolutely. Can he have handled leaving better? Absolutely. Has he lost 9 years of credibility and love that this fanbase showed him. Absolutely. Enjoy him, he's a good player, but 4 or 5 years from now, you're gonna want him gone. The game is getting too fast for him already. He was the perfect role model for my son, but after how he left, he's become the complete opposite of that. It's pretty sad.

You're letting your emotions get the best of you. Try to take emotion out of it.
- eichiefs9

I think your broken record is skipping on the same item again.

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 a JOKE.....???

Look, every time he was interviewed it was the same B.S....I never want to be anywhere else, blah blah blah...of course I'm paraphrasing, but that's the point he was making. Most Islander fans aren't upset that he left...it happens, but the more-so than his play, he's suppose to be a "character guy". He showed very little character, class or respect to this organization when he left...an organization which is doing all it can to become a credible. He undid all the good he did. Was it his choice? Absolutely. Can he have handled leaving better? Absolutely. Has he lost 9 years of credibility and love that this fanbase showed him. Absolutely. Enjoy him, he's a good player, but 4 or 5 years from now, you're gonna want him gone. The game is getting too fast for him already. He was the perfect role model for my son, but after how he left, he's become the complete opposite of that. It's pretty sad.
- Charlie21

Correct and it was in the way it had been handled.

And the Isles owners mishandled the situation. Without a commitment, internally they wanted to move him and they said no.

In a business, you can’t afford to lose assets for nothing. Owners acted like fans and ate it hard. There is no getting around this.

On JT’s end, all he had to do is give those owners an inkling or a reality that they were just another place. My guess is that LI was an option vs Toronto but when it came down to brass tacks... made the most sense.

What polluted that ultimate position and intent was his constant wordage and quotes on LI, Isles, etc. all he had to do is be more careful or thoughtful. After all, Brisson is experienced in these situations and can guide.

Is it clearcut all JT’s fault? Nope. It’s the isles owners who hold the bag. Garth Snow who blew two seasons stepping backwards. But there is some questioning of his words and handling of items when it comes down to it. Chances are... he was duplicitous to his own wants and desires trying to be so careful not to be a douche. And that attempt is what the isles owners seemed to buy into.

Just when I thought it could not get any more absurd. Yeah, Sundin leaving for his final year in NHL at 37 years old was EXACLTY like this.. solid point.
- niteislander

Fukin leafs fans.

As for this fan...

I don't blame John for leaving, totally falls on the shoulders of the Owners and old management.

Happen to think there's nothing wrong with JT making 11 mill per or the years he got

I was ready if he left and with some of the teams on his list was actually looking forward to watching him on some of them if he went. And I am with the Leafs. I would've fully understood even if he did something a la Hossa and sign a 1 year deal with Tampa for a Cup run.

Even with everything he's said over all these years, I think the biggest factor in his choice was his soon to be wife. Who's to say during the interview week it hit them that perhaps they'd like to start to have kids soon and for the 2 of them what better place for them to do it in? Both of their families are there, so any support they may need is a stone throw away.

I wish him well and kinda can't wait to see them play.

In a way I'm glad he left the way he did... Hopefully Ownership will forever remember this gut shot and never let clowns run/coach the team again. Pretty sure the new Owners were the ones that got McPhee into the team, the second they took over as majority owners they should've canned Snow (and his buttboy contract Wang gave him) and handed things over to McPhee... I bet things would've been very different today if they had.

Peace, Love and Bacon grease

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

wut.

Why are you even here?

This is a blog....not an article. And like any blog, this is a discussion of opinions.

More specifically, this is an Islander blog, where you can count on the opinions & feelings of Islander fans to be shared and discussed.

Currently, our feelings are pretty raw.
We feel JT was misleading about his sincerity to remain an Islander because it was reported that he flat out asked NOT to be traded at the deadline.

He knew we would offer him a blank check when it came time to negotiate a new contract and we held the extra benefit of being the only team that could give an 8-yr deal. Yet, he left at least $12+Million on the table in signing the deal with TO-which was probably the only decision that really made it tough for him(and his commission-based agent) to make.

So when you factor those things and consider that if there was any thought or chance he was considering playing back home anywhere else, the mature, professional, decent thing to do for the team you spent 9 years representing would have been to be honest and tell the GM, “hey, we’re probably not making the playoffs(they were on the 7/8th place bubble at the time) so why not trade me for something that can help the team alot and since I dont care about money I will give up the 8th year and I’ll talk to you on July 1st.”

Instead, he played coy, refused to negotiate during the season(even tho an offer was made after training camp) and then failed to inform us BEFORE July 1st of his intentions, which turned out to be the absolute WORST thing he could do to the team and fans he claimed to care so much about and for THAT, and that alone, he is relegated somewhere in the Travis Green-realm of gutless puke.

Ya know, it’s okay to leave the party anytime you want. Just dont take a crap on your way out the door.

Yes, For Butch Goring.
- niteislander

They should do Patty Lafontaine & Butchie on the first game back at the Coliseum.
Its long overdue and would be a fitting FU to JT.

Even better when they play Toronto. Make him watch the ceremony.

You have 3 4th lines, questionable goaltending and an old and slow defense

Not gonna be bad, Gonna be Baaaaaaaaaaad......
- RoloTahmasee

Learn how to spell, Tomassi.
If you’re gonna be clever, try to be accurate. Its not as funny when ignorance shines through.

Learn how to spell, Tomassi.
If you’re gonna be clever, try to be accurate. Its not as funny when ignorance shines through.
- jmo16

Well, IslesSuck4LifeHaHaHa was already taken so I had to improvise and didn’t bother to google it

Why are you even here?

This is a blog....not an article. And like any blog, this is a discussion of opinions.

More specifically, this is an Islander blog, where you can count on the opinions & feelings of Islander fans to be shared and discussed.

Currently, our feelings are pretty raw.
We feel JT was misleading about his sincerity to remain an Islander because it was reported that he flat out asked NOT to be traded at the deadline.

He knew we would offer him a blank check when it came time to negotiate a new contract and we held the extra benefit of being the only team that could give an 8-yr deal. Yet, he left at least $12+Million on the table in signing the deal with TO-which was probably the only decision that really made it tough for him(and his commission-based agent) to make.

So when you factor those things and consider that if there was any thought or chance he was considering playing back home anywhere else, the mature, professional, decent thing to do for the team you spent 9 years representing would have been to be honest and tell the GM, “hey, we’re probably not making the playoffs(they were on the 7/8th place bubble at the time) so why not trade me for something that can help the team alot and since I dont care about money I will give up the 8th year and I’ll talk to you on July 1st.”

Instead, he played coy, refused to negotiate during the season(even tho an offer was made after training camp) and then failed to inform us BEFORE July 1st of his intentions, which turned out to be the absolute WORST thing he could do to the team and fans he claimed to care so much about and for THAT, and that alone, he is relegated somewhere in the Travis Green-realm of gutless puke.

Ya know, it’s okay to leave the party anytime you want. Just dont take a crap on your way out the door.
- jmo16

Easy does it... Management should have moved him if there was zero progression in discussions prior to the deadline.
Live and learn.
Managers trade / demote / bench, players all of the time for the best of the team without considering the player or their feelings... when a player makes a move he's heartless, or selfish?

Let's not forget the Leafs just watched JVR and his 36 goals walk out the door with zero return, and Bozak as well. Sh*t happens, it's sports / business...
The Isles will be fine with new management and a better coach.

Just when I thought it could not get any more absurd. Yeah, Sundin leaving for his final year in NHL at 37 years old was EXACLTY like this.. solid point.
- niteislander

Clearly I said similar, Mats refused to be traded at the deadline said he wanted to retire a leaf then signed in Vancouver. I Never said exactly. Obviously JT wanted to play for his childhood favourite team.... wouldn’t you?

Clearly I said similar, Mats refused to be traded at the deadline said he wanted to retire a leaf then signed in Vancouver. I Never said exactly. Obviously JT wanted to play for his childhood favourite team.... wouldn’t you?
- Mayo79

Then ask to be traded mid-season. Duchene did nearly 2 years before he finally got traded from Colorado.