To the Islanders : Mathews

To Toronto : Tavarez

would you? would they?
- niteislander

Yes and no

I think Toronto would be all over him if he went to UFA, but I don't think they're going to trade the assets it would take to acquire him.
- eichiefs9

Even though when all is said and done, I believe he will remain an Islander the rest of his career, I truly wonder what a John Tavares would bring back in a return.

It would HAVE to be staggering. Perhaps slightly more than a, oh, i don't know, Duchene??

Im sure he's has somewhat "preliminary" discussions about what he wants etc. Otherwise i dont think he'd come out publicly (multiple times) and say he wants to stay. Its always going to be a business and im sure they've alluded to handing him a blank check type thing.
Either way, they should include him in who they hire as president and GM. The New England connection wore out its welcome years ago....
- kindlyrick

I think he does want to stay. But I don't think he's going to sacrifice the rest of his career for the Islanders if he doesn't agree with their plan.

I'm not saying I think he is going to leave, I'm just saying that the Isles need to have all their ducks in a row before they sit down and meet with him. I think they have the edge, in that he wants to be here, but by no means does that equate to this being a sure thing.

I think he does want to stay. But I don't think he's going to sacrifice the rest of his career for the Islanders if he doesn't agree with their plan.

I'm not saying I think he is going to leave, I'm just saying that the Isles need to have all their ducks in a row before they sit down and meet with him. I think they have the edge, in that he wants to be here, but by no means does that equate to this being a sure thing.
- eichiefs9

I totally hear you, and i completely agree. I just feel that he's the kinda guy that would just say nothing and deflect rather than openly admit that he wants to say. If I was a betting man, i'd say that he already has been shown a blueprint of a deal and its just a waiting game for the extension.

To the Islanders : Mathews

To Toronto : Tavarez

would you? would they?
- niteislander

They wouldn't and either would I.

2 more years with AM on a ELC, sorry it isn't happening as far as I'm concerned.

Plus they can just sign him as a FA in a year and a half

I totally hear you, and i completely agree. I just feel that he's the kinda guy that would just say nothing and deflect rather than openly admit that he wants to say. If I was a betting man, i'd say that he already has been shown a blueprint of a deal and its just a waiting game for the extension.
- kindlyrick

Frans Nielson was staying to.

Jt is saying exactly what he should be saying.

I totally hear you, and i completely agree. I just feel that he's the kinda guy that would just say nothing and deflect rather than openly admit that he wants to say. If I was a betting man, i'd say that he already has been shown a blueprint of a deal and its just a waiting game for the extension.
- kindlyrick

Purely a matter of opinion/speculation here, but I don't think they'd be distracting themselves (both John and the team) in-season by going over these "blueprints" etc...

I think the day the season ends, be it April 9th or whenever we lose in the playoffs, they'll be sitting down together to start those kind of meetings. I'm sure Brisson will be spending some serious time here in NY.

Like Dreger said, he'll make his decision by June. I think a lot of late-April will be meetings to go over the plans for the future, etc... I think if/when he decides that he's in it for the long-haul here then May will be spent negotiating terms of the deal. I'd expect to see an announcement, good or bad, not long after the playoffs are over.

Purely a matter of opinion/speculation here, but I don't think they'd be distracting themselves (both John and the team) in-season by going over these "blueprints" etc...

I think the day the season ends, be it April 9th or whenever we lose in the playoffs, they'll be sitting down together to start those kind of meetings. I'm sure Brisson will be spending some serious time here in NY.

Like Dreger said, he'll make his decision by June. I think a lot of late-April will be meetings to go over the plans for the future, etc... I think if/when he decides that he's in it for the long-haul here then May will be spent negotiating terms of the deal. I'd expect to see an announcement, good or bad, not long after the playoffs are over.
- eichiefs9

Has to be after July1st correct?

Maybe im in the minority here, but JT doesnt strike me as the kinda kid thats going to go out of his way to say he wants to stay here and then leave. Furthermore, in years past, (Smyth, Vanek) UFA's were silent about signing here, and then left when the opportunity presented itself. It seems to me that Tavares has been adamant about wanting to stay here. Again, maybe im in the minority, but I really don't see him leaving. New ownership will sign their franchise player....
- kindlyrick

I agree, all this stuff they talking about with JT is all propaganda. JT seems very loyal and want to complete what he started. I cant see him going somewhere to be part of someones elses team. He is the face of the Isles.

Isles have shown they they can beat anyone. They need to just get back to playing with some swagger and not just play safe. People underestimate how important Boychuk is for the back line. Hamonic isn't that lock it down Dman anymore. in fact I don't know what he is anymore.

To the Islanders : Mathews

To Toronto : Tavarez

would you? would they?
- niteislander

Toronto would never ever make that deal.. I would make it in a heartbeat, Mathews will be one or two of the best players in the league

Has to be after July1st correct?
- nyisles7

Yeah that's true. I mean I assume we'll have some sort of "leak", again good or bad, before that though. But yes, technically he couldn't sign before July 1st. That one slipped my mind.

Bottom line for this team which I think we are all in agreement with is that this team needs an over haul of the line up coaches and GM regardless if JT stays or not.

I would hate to see him leave but you know what at this point we might be looking at a another rebuild with another GM which I Would be ok with it since I beleive it will not ake over 10 years like GArth

I agree, all this stuff they talking about with JT is all propaganda. JT seems very loyal and want to complete what he started. I cant see him going somewhere to be part of someones elses team. He is the face of the Isles.

Isles have shown they they can beat anyone. They need to just get back to playing with some swagger and not just play safe. People underestimate how important Boychuk is for the back line. Hamonic isn't that lock it down Dman anymore. in fact I don't know what he is anymore.
- Spartiarti

Wow is that a typical Islander excuse You don't see Tampa saying hey we have a lot of injuries and throw the towel in, they fighting their asses off.

Yeah that's true. I mean I assume we'll have some sort of "leak", again good or bad, before that though. But yes, technically he couldn't sign before July 1st. That one slipped my mind.
- eichiefs9

The fact that DD says he will make his decision in June, gives me an uneasy feeling.
I thought he made his mind up and is finishing what he started?

Again the money is the easy part.

Toronto would never ever make that deal.. I would make it in a heartbeat, Mathews will be one or two of the best players in the league
- Dan Petriw

I agree. No way the Leafs make that deal. Matthews as on another level.

The fact that DD says he will make his decision in June, gives me an uneasy feeling.
I thought he made his mind up and is finishing what he started?

Again the money is the easy part.
- nyisles7

He'd be doing himself a disservice by not asking the Islanders to share their long-term plans with him.

It's like buying a car. You might really want a (insert car make/model) and maybe you owned one in the past, but you're not going to just go to the dealer and say "I'll take it!", sight unseen.

He'd be doing himself a disservice by not asking the Islanders to share their long-term plans with him.

It's like buying a car. You might really want a (insert car make/model) and maybe you owned one in the past, but you're not going to just go to the dealer and say "I'll take it!", sight unseen.
- eichiefs9

If that is the case I guess we should all get used to life without JT. What are they going to say to him? The same thing they have told him for years??

If that is the case I guess we should all get used to life without JT. What are they going to say to him? The same thing they have told him for years??
- kasperrko

I have a hard time believing that John and management/ownership have met regularly to discuss operational plans. I don't think they've "told" him anything. But now it's obvious that they failed at their job and in order to keep him, and I think he wants to stay, they're going to have to be transparent with him.

Toronto would never ever make that deal.. I would make it in a heartbeat, Mathews will be one or two of the best players in the league
- Dan Petriw

I am not so sure.. .JT is clearly an elite player in this league. He would immediately bring the veteran leadership to this very young team. He is a Toronto Native for a kid from Arizona... I think if it's a Sign and Trade they make the deal. Isles might have to throw something else in it too... but.. while I agree Mathews is ALSO an elite player He is still a kid and you never know what can happen. he can end up being a Partier, mental nut, etc. JT is a leader on and off the ice.... (Truthfully I don't think I would like that trade but when you have a 9 year old kid he asks you stuff like this all the time. When He asked I had to think about it.. ).

I agree. No way the Leafs make that deal. Matthews as on another level.
- ses111

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK2j2JGIL2w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK2j2JGIL2w
- niteislander

JT is a great player, but I think Matthews is even better. Look how much better a skater Matthews is and the size difference.

I am not so sure.. .JT is clearly an elite player in this league. He would immediately bring the veteran leadership to this very young team. He is a Toronto Native for a kid from Arizona... I think if it's a Sign and Trade they make the deal. Isles might have to throw something else in it too... but.. while I agree Mathews is ALSO an elite player He is still a kid and you never know what can happen. he can end up being a Partier, mental nut, etc. JT is a leader on and off the ice.... (Truthfully I don't think I would like that trade but when you have a 9 year old kid he asks you stuff like this all the time. When He asked I had to think about it.. ).
- niteislander

Toronto would never trade Matthews for Tavares. I would trade Tavares for Matthews today, if they'd let me. Age is a huge factor. I also highly doubt that all the sudden Auston Matthews is going to develop a huge partying problem or turn into a lunatic.

This would have been like Carolina saying after Tavares' rookie year that they wanted to trade us Eric Staal for him. It doesn't make sense.

Toronto would never trade Matthews for Tavares. I would trade Tavares for Matthews today, if they'd let me. Age is a huge factor. I also highly doubt that all the sudden Auston Matthews is going to develop a huge partying problem or turn into a lunatic.

This would have been like Carolina saying after Tavares' rookie year that they wanted to trade us Eric Staal for him. It doesn't make sense.
- eichiefs9

I would run to trade JT for Matthews. This is not to knock JT. Matthews has the age, size, and speed edge over JT.

I agree. No way the Leafs make that deal. Matthews as on another level.
- ses111

Are we really that critical of our own that we don't see just how friggin incredible a players JT is and has been? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDqe6Sisd6g

JT is a great player, but I think Matthews is even better. Look how much better a skater Matthews is and the size difference.
- ses111

It's not a question of "who's better", it a fact that Toronto isn't anywhere near Stanley Cup contention, so why in the world would they trade a young, cheap superstar for an older, very expensive one? It's not like Tavares makes them a contender all the sudden.

They'd be giving up years of control and cheaper contracts for an older, expensive player who is similarly talented.