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

I agree. Kid has one year under his belt and everyone is anointing him the next Crosby. (That's McJesus, btw, ....and he has the potential to be BETTER than Crosby) Potential is there, don't get me wrong, but let's see what he does over the next five years. If it's Tavares for Matthews, it's not as uneven as those on this board would initially think.

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
- niteislander

Come on niteislander. Ask any GM or Player if they would trade JT for Matthews and they would all say yes. We can appreciate and really love JT while admitting we rather have Matthews at this point.

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
- niteislander

Nobody is knocking Tavares, but it wouldn't be fair to say that Matthews isn't an insanely special talent.

Couple that with his age, contract status, etc... and Matthews becomes the more desirable asset. It doesn't mean Tavares isn't the better player now, but it takes into account more than just that.

I think they make that deal if it comes with JT signed long term. He would be the captain with a TON of talent around him.. real coach, real gm, etc.

Nobody is knocking Tavares, but it wouldn't be fair to say that Matthews isn't an insanely special talent.

Couple that with his age, contract status, etc... and Matthews becomes the more desirable asset. It doesn't mean Tavares isn't the better player now, but it takes into account more than just that.
- eichiefs9

I loved Trottier as well, but you can bet I would have traded him for Gretzky. It's no shame to want to trade JT for Matthews.

I think they make that deal if it comes with JT signed long term. He would be the captain with a TON of talent around him.. real coach, real gm, etc.
- niteislander

No they wouldn't.

Shanahan, Lamoriello, Dubas, etc... would all need to be immediately fired if they traded Matthews for Tavares straight up.

I loved Trottier as well, but you can bet I would have traded him for Gretzky. It's no shame to want to trade JT for Matthews.
- ses111

Setlle down with the Gretzky stuff.. Mathews is a top talent.. He is not Gretzky.

I think they make that deal if it comes with JT signed long term. He would be the captain with a TON of talent around him.. real coach, real gm, etc.
- niteislander

Call the Leafs right now and make that offer and see how fast they hang up the phone.

Setlle down with the Gretzky stuff.. Mathews is a top talent.. He is not Gretzky.
- niteislander

Not many are Gretzky, but when all is said and done Matthews should have a Hall of Fame Career. The trade would never happen.

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.
- eichiefs9

Trade does not make sense for the Leafs. I still think Matthews is better based on his size and skating edge. Matthews is already better than many players and should only get better with more experience. The trade will never happen.

All depends on the nashville boston game really need preds to win

1 or 2 goals on pp per game would have a huge impact

Trade does not make sense for the Leafs. I still think Matthews is better based on his size and skating edge. Matthews is already better than many players and should only get better with more experience. The trade will never happen.
- ses111

I can't even debate it anymore. There isn't a Leafs player/employee/fan/etc... in the world that will come here and tell you they'd rather have Tavares over Matthews right now. It makes no sense.

Frans Nielson was staying to.

Jt is saying exactly what he should be saying.
- nyisles7

You can't compare the two. They're not waiting till the 11th hour to sign JT. They're looking to extend him for the bulk of his career.

I can't even debate it anymore. There isn't a Leafs player/employee/fan/etc... in the world that will come here and tell you they'd rather have Tavares over Matthews right now. It makes no sense.
- eichiefs9

Nothing else to add. Even if they were the same age, I'm taking Matthews over JT.

Nothing else to add. Even if they were the same age, I'm taking Matthews over JT.
- ses111

Well that would be a much different debate, but they're not so it's also not worth the effort.

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

Not for nothing but what are they distracting? I don't think it's so far fetched to approach Brisson and say he's gonna get a deal similar to Kane/Toews

Well that would be a much different debate, but they're not so it's also not worth the effort.
- eichiefs9

Still seems the easier choice to me. Matthews skating and size gives him the edge to me.

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

I don't even know how to respond to this so I am going to punt

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

I'm sure he will ask and Im sure he will get the full court press, dog and pony show from L and M but the sad part is this is supposed to be the Islanders advantage that JT knows all the intangibles and the future plans and direction of the Islanders but the fact is there are a lot of unknowns with the team he has been with since being drafted. In my mind its a disadvantage. All these years and still no firm foundation or direction from this team, truly disappointing. i know there are new owners in place that have promised rainbows and sunny skies ahead but talk is cheap.
JT will also be getting advice from his agent family ( Uncle John who has a huge influence in his life ) Girlfriend etc.

I hope he stays, but I just don't think its a slam dunk. The Islanders can't afford to lose 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

sorry disagree ..... Mathews is great but wont be 2nd in league

sorry disagree ..... Mathews is great but wont be 2nd in league
- Ur Not Me

It will be fun to watch. I haven't see a player with his skill set in decades

Nobody is knocking Tavares, but it wouldn't be fair to say that Matthews isn't an insanely special talent.

Couple that with his age, contract status, etc... and Matthews becomes the more desirable asset. It doesn't mean Tavares isn't the better player now, but it takes into account more than just that.
- eichiefs9

I agree, and when I said I wouldn't make the trade it was if I'm Toronto.

If I'm the islanders I'm sorry I would do a straight up deal for AM in a second, especially if JT don't want to stay. But honestly I don't see Toronto making the deal

I'm sure he will ask and Im sure he will get the full court press, dog and pony show from L and M but the sad part is this is supposed to be the Islanders advantage that JT knows all the intangibles and the future plans and direction of the Islanders but the fact is there are a lot of unknowns with the team he has been with since being drafted. In my mind its a disadvantage. All these years and still no firm foundation or direction from this team, truly disappointing. i know there are new owners in place that have promised rainbows and sunny skies ahead but talk is cheap.
JT will also be getting advice from his agent family ( Uncle John who has a huge influence in his life ) Girlfriend etc.

I hope he stays, but I just don't think its a slam dunk. The Islanders can't afford to lose him.
- nyisles7

They cannot afford to lose him for nothing. I would hope JT will be proactive as well and try to get answers for himself. I do not want JT stewing and thinking he has to be the good solider. JT should challenge the entire organization to do better.

It will be fun to watch. I haven't see a player with his skill set in decades
- Dan Petriw

I would be very surprised if Matthews is not top 2.