Tonight the prodigal son returns. It's been 8 month since Sloop John T decided “There ain't no island left for Islanders… like him. (name the references). Tonight Tavares comes back to the Island. It will be an emotional night to say the least and this feels like as good of a time as any to take a look at what this has all meant to the Islanders and their fans, the Leafs, the NHL, the NHLPA, and finally John Tavares himself.
On The Islanders.
It is important to remember the Islanders really tried everything they could to keep Tavares on the Island. They offered a comparable contract (without the endorsements of the GTMA of course) and despite new GM Lou Lamoriello knowing he was only one more year away from having to extend basically everyone else on his roster of consequence...GM Lou Lamoriello truly gave it a shot. He gave him the years. He gave him the money. The only thing Lou couldn't give him was a picture of young Tavares sleeping in Isles footy PJs.
I have dealt with Lou for over a decade. I take some small pride in understanding this incredibly interesting and contrasting man. I honestly adore Lou Lamoriello. He is actually immensely sensitive while being downright frightening. He loves the sport and he loves honesty. He isn't without flaws and I know people who hated working for him...but as a person/character in this game of hockey he has levels upon levels beyond 90% of others in and around the NHL.
I truly never thought Lou believed the best thing for this team would be throwing all this money at one John Tavares. Lou doesn't operate that way. The team is more important than any one player, but Lou tried to get Tavares to stay...His attempt was probably 75% for the fans, because Lou has spent enough time in and around the Metro area to understand how passionate (and in many ways unique) this fanbase is. I adore Islanders fans too, but after years of NOT getting a trade when they needed it, NOT getting the player they wanted in the draft, NOT winning a playoff round, and NOT even playing their home games where they should be played this fanbase has been through A LOT…..Knowing Lou as I do... I am sure Lou felt Isles fans could use and deserved a win.
And before Tavares hit free aganecy Lou gave them a win. A phenomenal win. Not the win they were expecting. Instead Lou gave them the current Stanley Cup Winning coach. Something which hasn’t happened (to my knowledge) in NHL History. In normal time fans would have seen this as a win the size of a Monday morning commute on the Long Island Expressway, but because the Tavares thing was so very all encompassing....the fans barely noticed the win.
They do now.
I remember when Barry Trotz signed on the Island the very first articles and responses were, “Lou is doing all he can to convince Tavares to stay in NY.… That was the spin, when the reality was Lou brought in Barry to make them a better team, probably without Tavares. I said this over and over again at the time. Tavares didn’t need a new coach to give him more ice time or realize his importance. Tavares’ playing time was rarely an issue...at least I don’t remember it being big news very often. I did hear stories that Capuano was kept around longer than expected because Tavares loved the guy. Capuano is a great guy, but this is a results business.
Now understand one thing. I don’t think even Lou would have said he would be this far along...that first time Tavares returned to the Island his team will be in first place in the Metro, having played with a lead more than ANY other team in hockey. That the Maple Leafs would come in only 3 points ahead the Islanders on the last day of February was the furthest reality. That the Islanders would have a better season without John Tavares than they ever did with him? But then again...Lou doesn’t ever look at things that way.
If they had signed Tavares would the Islanders be in this spot? Its impossible to say of course, but it is probable that losing one big fish allowed more room for other fish to grow...into some pretty awesome fish.
Which brings me to the ridiculousness of the fringe Islanders fans hating on Tavares and once again proving how easily the internet can be a “tool among tools." Isles fans are better than that. Not saying these idiots are. I am saying Islanders fans ARE actually and currently better than these fools. If I have learned anything from the “Age of the Internet… it magnifies negativity by at least 1000 times. Those who aren’t idiots generally don’t want in on the conversation. And that is almost everyone.
I would expect Tavares to get a great ovation tonight. He gave everything he had to the Islanders while he played there on some BAD teams. In the end all the guy did was play by the rules of the system in place...to enable him to go home and play for his childhood team in his hometown...Nothing dishonest about it. He turned down MORE money from San Jose. He wanted to play for his favorite team and he had an opportunity to do so. Who reading this wouldn’t think that it would be incredible to get paid millions to skate for the team you grew up so passionate about?
Anyone complaining that Tavares isn’t loyal to the Island also must hold Panarin accountable when four months from now the Isles (again knowing Lou) will be in on the Russian who has hasn’t shown 1/100th the loyalty to Columbus that John showed to the Islanders.
On the Leafs.
The Maple Leafs are 3 points up on the Islanders and without John Tavares they would be several points behind them...and likely out of the playoff picture entirely. Tavares has had his best season to date on this Leafs team. A team that fits in perfectly into his skill set. Having Tavares around has also equated to way more than points…
Mentoring Matthews, Marner, Kapanen, and the rest is truly invaluable. Just ask guys names Barzal, Lee, Nelson...etc. Tavares has always been pure class and living his dream in Toronto has to also be inspirational to so many local kids up there.
His signing would have complicated things in NY and it has done so in Toronto. We are not yet sure how much, but it has complicated things a lot. Matthews and Nylander are under contract...Marner is up next and will be the toughest. I don’t expect offer sheets and if they come the Leafs will match...but that will have its own repercussions. And on the NHLPA.
Tavares’ road to Toronto opened the doors for players to getting a little more respect. The NHLPA needed one of their superstars to go to free agency, if only to keep the owners honest and not to keep blaming the players for not taking less or giving hometown discounts. It also made those of us who love hockey rumors a lot happier to know that once in a while an old-fashioned bidding war can still exist.
Tonight's game will be fascinating and cathartic for player and fans alike.
But what do you think?
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— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) August 2, 2017