N.Y. Islanders: Is Signing John Tavares Long Term Right Thing To Do?

From the desks of:  

NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT  and  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Islanders sweep season series 4-0

I - NYI 4; NYR 3*

II - NYI 7; NYR 2

III - NYI; 3; NYR 0

IV - NYI 2; NYR 1

*shoot-out

THURSDAY

Rangers    1

Islanders   2

FINAL

New York Islanders Complete Season Sweep of Last Place New York Rangers.

The Islanders continued their dominance over the New York Rangers - the Brooklyn Islanders, that is.  Tex's Rangers have now failed to gain a regular season victory in their last six visits to Flatbush Avenue.  Not only did the Islanders clinch a season sweep of the series, since moving into the neighborhood they own a 1-9-2 record against their cross-river rivals.

Despite falling behind just 4:25 into the opening period, second period goals from Thomas Hickey and Anthony Beauvillier helped Flatbush once again overcome the Rangers, and prevent the Islanders from falling into the Metropolitan Division cellar.

The Maven ~ Brooklyn Born

STAN FISCHLER 

LAST GAME

After the game, the home crowd cheered John Tavares as if it were his last in an Islanders uniform - not just for this season, but for good.  The 27-year old becomes an unrestricted free agent in July.  

The Islanders are the only team that can offer him an eight year contact.  Therefore, he could potentially make more money here than anywhere else.  Suppose his open market price is $10 to $12 million per season?  Most teams invariably grow to regret such agreements in the later years.  An eight year deal would bring him just shy of his 36th birthday.

An argument, therefore, can be made for not hamstringing the organization with a potentially onerous contract especially when you consider their burgeoning young talent.

This season marks the fourth time he's exceeded 30 goals, and the third time in his nine career he will finish above 80-points.  And only now is he considered to be entering his prime years.

He's a premiere center - a franchise player.  There's no denying that.  But the Islanders were among the top scoring teams all season long.  Anders Lee leads the team with 38 goals,  Mathew Barzal leads the team with 61 assists, and is right behind Tavares with 83 points.  The Islanders have five players with 20 goals or more, and four players above 60 points (Jordan Eberle has 59 points).

However, their collective plus/minus sucks!  The Islanders problems are on defense (the blue line as well as two-way players), and in net.

Tavares has repeatedly said he wants to stay, and wants this to work itself out.

Would he give the Islanders a discount?

Do the new owners even want to sign him?  The new arena planned at Belmont will not be ready for another three years (more or less).  Tavares will be 30-years old by then.

*            *            *

Thanks to the Islanders, the Rangers enter their regular season finale against the Philadelphia Flyers in last place of the Metropolitan Division.  An Islanders victory over the Red Wings at Detroit on Saturday would ensure the Rangers finish in the cellar.  Otherwise, the Rangers must lose one last time.

Because if you're gonna tank, you might as well do it right.

The Flyers are in a must win situation.  They enter Saturday's action with a four point lead over the Florida Panthers for the final Wild Card spot.  A victory over the Rangers, and they're in the playoffs.  If they lose, the Panthers must still win both of their remaining two games.