Why is it so hard to believe this was tough for him? Everyone seems to think its just black and white. What would the situation had of looked like then if it truly was a tough decision for him what to you guys would that situation would of looked like?

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

This is what I don't get, he has to say all of those things, eveyr hockey player as said it the same way for all of time, its just what you do. How can you be upset about that? Everyfan base shows their players love how can you act like he owes you anything for that? You guys essentially paid him 50% of what he was worth for 6 years! That is what makes him the perfect role model. It wasn't about the moeny for him, but after 6 years of basically (frank)ing himself, the team showed him that they were completely incapable of helping him in anyway. He did the professional thing, he didn't female dog and moan about it, said all the right things and parted ways exactly as he should have. If Im JT I sue the Islanders for the 30 mil they owe him for the reduced contract, while they made no effort to make the islander a competitive team.

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

Dude, how can you just eat up waht the media tells you about the situation. "refusing to negotiate" is negotiating, so to anyone with a brain, he was 100% coming to the open market this year.

Isles get NOTHING for Tavares

Lou walked in to a giant pile of steaming SH!T

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.
- LItransplant44

Agree 100%!

I guess the guy on his wing who scored 40 last year was not a star. (Nor Okposo who got 7 mill a year away which was a HUGE star leaving the isles, Or Bailey, Eberle, etc. etc. etc. )

This guy a star enough?
https://twitter.com/Isles.../1014335209146286085?s=19
- niteislander

Actually John made a lot of guys. .STARS/or at least rich.. .including moulson! ..that's what good players do..make others better..he made those guys lots of money! ..okposo ..the goods news is that the islanders have some great young players and ..prospects coming. .plus cap space some good veteran leadership ...they'll be able to make the playoffs with some steady goaltending IMHO. .good luck with the offseason

Agree 100%!
- Wario

Brazal ..if the islanders do make a trade with Edmonton. .Luo better let snow talk to Chia ..and make the deal ..hello Darnell nurse? ..RNH?.

Isles get NOTHING for Tavares

Lou walked in to a giant pile of steaming SH!T
- disorca

Troll much?..how old are you ..seriously. .who gives a shat? ..hopefully teams. .fan bases. .whatever. underestimate the islanders ..now they have 11mil extra in cap space! ..last year's Calder winner! ..and this year's 12th and 13th picks. .to go with the rest of the youth. . ..good lord. .I hope you didn't stay up all night to come up with that post ..but hey have a great weekend!

This is what I don't get, he has to say all of those things, eveyr hockey player as said it the same way for all of time, its just what you do. How can you be upset about that? Everyfan base shows their players love how can you act like he owes you anything for that? You guys essentially paid him 50% of what he was worth for 6 years! That is what makes him the perfect role model. It wasn't about the moeny for him, but after 6 years of basically (frank)ing himself, the team showed him that they were completely incapable of helping him in anyway. He did the professional thing, he didn't female dog and moan about it, said all the right things and parted ways exactly as he should have. If Im JT I sue the Islanders for the 30 mil they owe him for the reduced contract, while they made no effort to make the islander a competitive team.
- joecool2931

Well, there's a rational thought. C'mon man. He said everything, and did everything to lead everyone to believe he was a character guy. In the end, the undid everything he did. He didn't have to let the fans find out he wasn't staying by letting the clock strike midnight. You people need to take into consideration all the BS this fanbase has been through. That has got to factor in. Nobody knows it more than JT. He could've handled leaving my more professionally. He will forever be shunned by this fanbase, whether you people agree with it or not. The wounds are deep, and he knew it.

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

Leaf fans still think Gilmour was as good as Gretzky......

Actually John made a lot of guys. .STARS/or at least rich.. .including moulson! ..that's what good players do..make others better..he made those guys lots of money! ..okposo ..the goods news is that the islanders have some great young players and ..prospects coming. .plus cap space some good veteran leadership ...they'll be able to make the playoffs with some steady goaltending IMHO. .good luck with the offseason
- MR.Hunter

Thank you Mr.Hunter for not being that typical Leaf fan who doesn't know the difference between loyalty and realistically. Isles do have some great prospects and young kids that will do well. Losing JT hurt, but we should be able to continue without him. Leafs definitely will be a very good team with him as he does make everyone around him a better player. I live in Ontario and it's very rare to see a Leaf fan talk positively about anyone other than the Leafs, so good on you!

Dude, how can you just eat up waht the media tells you about the situation. "refusing to negotiate" is negotiating, so to anyone with a brain, he was 100% coming to the open market this year.
- joecool2931

Negotiating with one club is not negotiating. I understand and respect his right to choose another team. Yes, in hindsight Garth should have grown a set and forced the issue/made an ultimatum/traded him. NO ONE is saying management made a gaffe- everyone, EVERYONE, including 98% of the media thought as much. Why, because JT put in a brilliant poker face and we pushed all-in and got burned. He could have done more. (Privately, not publicly) to give the team a fair chance to cover ourselves one way or the other.

Well, there's a rational thought. C'mon man. He said everything, and did everything to lead everyone to believe he was a character guy. In the end, the undid everything he did. He didn't have to let the fans find out he wasn't staying by letting the clock strike midnight. You people need to take into consideration all the BS this fanbase has been through. That has got to factor in. Nobody knows it more than JT. He could've handled leaving my more professionally. He will forever be shunned by this fanbase, whether you people agree with it or not. The wounds are deep, and he knew it.
- Charlie21

When he NEVER wins a cup with the Leafs, can he sue THEM for the $25-30 million he left on the table by accepting the home town discount? In 2 years, TO will be in cap hell. Wait till it comes full circle. Wait for it.

Frank Lebron Tavares

Isn't this an Adele song?