Goes to show you what kind of character he is.. Never mans up and tells the Islanders he is leaving,,,,SELFISH...
- roadworker

Do you ever hear a player mention in any interview saying "I'm leaving this franchise the moment I have the opportunity"? No. It just doesn't happen. They are taught how to deal with media and answer a certain way.

It's not the first time you hear a player talk about how happy they are to be in an organization, then end up leaving to another team. And won't be the last.

Relax dude lol

avs hire Islanders ex assistant Greg Cronin to coach their AHL team

Was he a nonebody behind the bench or decent? Tell Fatmarsh your takes

Goes to show you what kind of character he is.. Never mans up and tells the Islanders he is leaving,,,,SELFISH...
- roadworker

He did tell them he wasnt coming back, he went to FA to explore his options. He met with 5 teams. Isles were among the last 3 teams. He informed the Isles that he would not be returning and then decided between what I expect to be San Jose and Toronto and going with Toronto.

I know it's a stretch, but people seem underestimate the stats that Barzal put up. Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin og McDavid are the only other players to put up a PPG in their rookie season (+10games). That's pretty decent company.
- Goislanders

Barzal's rookie season is incredible and should be given proper respect by all hockey fans. I think it's a problem of the separation of Tavares' vs Islanders fans, which is making people that would ordinarily acknowledge Barzals' success, downplay it instead. It's understandable and happens in every debate online. People overstate reality to better argue their point.

The truth is Barzal is an amazing talent that has shown superstar potential in his rookie season. Islanders fans should be upset about Tavares, but ecstatic that they have potentially a better player in Barzal. That kid is (frank)ing good.

I think more Islanders fans need to see the Article Tavares did on the Players Tribune, before judging him too harshly. I honestly believe he didn't make up his mind to leave NY until the last minute, even though he considered it. I think it broke his heart, not because he gave a poop about ownership, or the managers, or even the players, but because of the fans.

You guys are what mattered to him. It sucked that he left, but don't let that tarnish what you had. Cherish those memories, just as John Tavares will. All you Islanders fans meant the world to him for 9 years, and you always will. Try to understand this. If the Islanders win a cup in Tavares' lifetime, he'll most likely cheer, unless you win it by beating the Leafs.

Noone blames JT for leaving, we just all resent how he did it. I do think JT did tell Snow his intentions long before but Snow is a tool and just chose to ignore it. Think about it, If JT was traded beginning of 2017-18, do you know what a return we would have received.

Its done, Im not worried about Isles lost of offense with no JT b/c the reality is we had plenty of offense. I would like for use to get another Dman or 2.

Future is bright. Tavares realized the new plan is to win in Belmont and also realized Barzal was taking over the role as #1 in LI.

I think everyone is underestimating Trotz coaching and that guys like Nelson, Ho Sang can all suddenly become more the players we want them to be.

Lets be this years Vegas Knights and also enjoy Tavares never winning anything in his career. He is earn that right with his gutless move trying to make us all believe he made up his mind on July 1st. come on.

avs hire Islanders ex assistant Greg Cronin to coach their AHL team

Was he a nonebody behind the bench or decent? Tell Fatmarsh your takes
- DDM-Coga

He was the PK coach. So, there you go. Sorry, Coga.

Not being a fan of the Islanders and hating the Leafs I wasn't invested as some people. I thought JT pulled a scumbag move by not allowing a trade and then waiting until the end to sign kinda like a Lebron type sideshow but after reading that my mind has changed a little bit. The guy has a lot of class and I can see why he was the Captain of the team not just for his skill. I still don't like what he did but I do have a lot more respect for him...
- Mino42

Dont be fooled by the guy who smiles in your face and compliments you as he steals from you. I dont buy that letter one bit......its 100% damage control. The bottom line is he felt guilty. Him having what he referred to as somewhat of a "nervous breakdown" is something we call a conscience.......which was bothering him. Truth be told, the isles ownership is to blame for allowing that much suck during his tenure. HOWEVER, Tavares handled this EXTREMELY poorly. There's a reason basically no other teams franchise player walks at the 25th hour. This was not a last minute decision, im sorry. I dont understand the contradiction of "its always been my dreams since being a kid to play for the leafs" to "it was a last minute decision". Cmon man......if you believe that i have a bridge in brooklyn to sell ya.

He did tell them he wasnt coming back, he went to FA to explore his options. He met with 5 teams. Isles were among the last 3 teams. He informed the Isles that he would not be returning and then decided between what I expect to be San Jose and Toronto and going with Toronto.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

This is incorrect.

If I was a player I would take less money to go on a Stanley cup team. I would pic Washington Vegas Tampa Boston or Nashville. Those teams have a great chance of winning the cup. Leafs provide nothing they haven't won a round in 14 years. Arizona has a better chance of winning a round than the leafs I would pic them over the Leafs. When leafs win a round come talk to me. Until then they are a joke
- Hockeyislife

Where did this take less money thing come from? Does anyone not realize how much money he's going to get in endorsements in Toronto???? It may Trump his contract over the length of his contract.

funny how

Barzal
Nelson
Filppula

isn't quite the same as

Matthews
Tavares
Kadri


going forward.

enjoy the tank!
- plantheparade

What planet are you guys living on that the Leafs are now cup contenders with A, that backend being as weak as it is, and B, save for Marleau and maybe one other player, who's got ANY real post season experience?

Nobody said differently. Just addressing the guy acting like Leaf's were bonzo within said timeframe.

There is no doubt that the Isles have faced horrible straits over the last several decades...

A lease deal with Nassau Coliseum that gave them NO $$$ and in 2000, NHL VP Bill Daly warned Nassau legislators that org would be in trouble via that deal.

Milbury burying org in a mess in years of poopty moves.

Charles Wang hiring Snow as he keeps team to cap floor until venue viability

Going to Brooklyn, leaving many LIers with no good way to get there.

Brooklyn falls apart, and now Belmont bound, which at least places them back in area.

JT leaves, as free agents are to do... though he could have been more clear to isles owners.

Isles owners (frank)ed up bigtime in not allowing him to be dealt at trade deadline when he wouldn't give a commitment.
- B.D. Gallof

Yeah they messed up.......no doubt about it. But, when your franchise player is publicly saying he doesnt wanna leave, and mentions some of the greats being with only one team, etc etc etc. The list goes on. Yeah the ownership and management screwed up, but Tavares is not absolved of any wrongdoing.

Leafs fans are happy, i get it.....rightfully so. But, lets not pretend like this transition was fluid. It was an absolute bottom of the barrel move. Not very Captain like. Deep down he knew he wanted to be on the leafs, and he's lying to himself (and us fans) if he says otherwise. The Pajama tweet says it all....

Yeah they messed up.......no doubt about it. But, when your franchise player is publicly saying he doesnt wanna leave, and mentions some of the greats being with only one team, etc etc etc. The list goes on. Yeah the ownership and management screwed up, but Tavares is not absolved of any wrongdoing.

Leafs fans are happy, i get it.....rightfully so. But, lets not pretend like this transition was fluid. It was an absolute bottom of the barrel move. Not very Captain like. Deep down he knew he wanted to be on the leafs, and he's lying to himself (and us fans) if he says otherwise. The Pajama tweet says it all....
- kindlyrick

It's Johnny Bedsheets

Where did this take less money thing come from? Does anyone not realize how much money he's going to get in endorsements in Toronto???? It may Trump his contract over the length of his contract.
- kindlyrick

Took a cheaper NHL contract. Endorsements aren't included in that. Pretty easy to figure out.

Took a cheaper NHL contract. Endorsements aren't included in that. Pretty easy to figure out.
- LeafGuy89

Thanks tips.......and the bottom line is his income in the next 7 years in toronto will be superior to New York based on said endorsement deals.

Furthermore, is there really a difference between 77 million and 87 shmill? You're lifestyle is exactly the same.

Barzal's rookie season is incredible and should be given proper respect by all hockey fans. I think it's a problem of the separation of Tavares' vs Islanders fans, which is making people that would ordinarily acknowledge Barzals' success, downplay it instead. It's understandable and happens in every debate online. People overstate reality to better argue their point.

The truth is Barzal is an amazing talent that has shown superstar potential in his rookie season. Islanders fans should be upset about Tavares, but ecstatic that they have potentially a better player in Barzal. That kid is (frank)ing good.

I think more Islanders fans need to see the Article Tavares did on the Players Tribune, before judging him too harshly. I honestly believe he didn't make up his mind to leave NY until the last minute, even though he considered it. I think it broke his heart, not because he gave a poop about ownership, or the managers, or even the players, but because of the fans.

You guys are what mattered to him. It sucked that he left, but don't let that tarnish what you had. Cherish those memories, just as John Tavares will. All you Islanders fans meant the world to him for 9 years, and you always will. Try to understand this. If the Islanders win a cup in Tavares' lifetime, he'll most likely cheer, unless you win it by beating the Leafs.
- Thecakeisalie

No one cares.... Anymore ....

No one cares.... Anymore ....
- Ur Not Me

Hfboards didn't get the memo.

It's nuts over there.