The truth about John Tavares departure from the Islanders is revealed
Free agency can be a double-edged sword for players. They get the chance to explore new opportunities and see if a change of scenery might bring more success. But at the same time, they may risk falling in the bad side of their former team and fan base.
The Tale of the Leafs' Captain
Ever since he left the New York Islanders to join Toronto five years ago, Tavares has been the target of animosity from his former team's fans.
It's easy to see why some fans might feel betrayed when a player they've supported through good times and bad decides to move on. But the former Islanders GM, Garth Snow, recently shed some light on the situation, suggesting that the animosity towards Tavares might be misplaced.
Blown out of Proportion
Snow expressed his thoughts on the Tavares free agency situation, saying that the hate directed at the player is exaggerated. The team had an opportunity to trade him at the 2018 deadline, knowing he might not return, but chose not to.
That decision by Scott Malkin was that we weren't gonna trade him under any circumstances. He was totally committed to re-signing him. I think the quote I had said is, �Are you willing to drive the car off the cliff if you go through the season and get to free agency?' He was comfortable with that. That's the bottom line.
So why does the hate continue for Tavares in New York? Snow feels it's not really Tavares' fault. It comes down to a decision made by the front office.
I feel so bad that [Tavares] gets trashed for something that wasn't his fault, Snow said. The Islanders could have traded him if they wanted to, but that decision was made. So it's not his fault the Islanders didn't trade him.
While the resentment will likely persist, it's time for everyone to move on. Both the Islanders and Tavares have new goals to pursue, and that's where their focus should be.
As seen on Markerzone - Former Islanders GM Reveals the Truth About Tavares
| POLL | ||
20 AOUT | 38 ANSWERS The truth about John Tavares departure from the Islanders is revealed Do you think Islanders fans are too harsh on John Tavares? | ||
| Yes | 20 | 52.6 % |
| No | 18 | 47.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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