Exclusivity period expires; Capitalism now rules the day.
New York Islanders: Two Minutes To Midnight ... and Counting.
As I write this, optimistic Islanders fans might be well into their sleep, dreaming of their franchise player having signed an eight year extension, or, at the very least intending to sleep in late Sunday in the hopes of celebrating a market rate seven year deal by noon.
However, more pessimistic rooters are likely spending a long night sweating through nightmares of him leaving for another team and town ... like the Sharks, or worst yet, the Maple Leafs. The fact John Tavares wheel-barreled these negotiations - or lack thereof - to its deadline is quite ominous. It potentially means he's motivated to leave.
And why would that be?
I do not think he ever forgave Garth Snow for disappearing his friend Kyle Okposo, or other quality players of his liking. Could it be the scars left by previous mismanagement run too deeply; is the trust gone; has the emotional damage of losing worn on him?
That said, I'm sure he is questioning the organization's ability to win in the very near future and whether the new Belmont Arena will be ready for operation in a timely manner. He knows what every one else in the NHL knows: they still need defense and a goalie. Where are they coming from, and when? Otherwise, splitting time between Brooklyn and Uniondale only to miss the playoffs aren't the most ideal conditions to endure ... not compared to the West Coast weather or playing home in the Great White North. Tavares made no secret of his desire for meeting with several teams before arriving at any decision. Yet, only the Islanders owned the ability of offering him an eight year deal prior to the July 1st deadline. Nevertheless, the franchise center and Captain has remained tight lipped like a clam throughout. Apparently an eighth year of financial security proved unappealing. It suggests he's seeking something more from his future years.
Despite nine seasons with the Islanders, he does not turn 28-years old until September which makes him a very worth while investment with only moderate risk regarding the latter years of the deal.
Considering the potential money and years involved, there's every reason to believe Tavares' best days are still ahead. He's certainly been durable, playing in all 82 games last season, and in 323 of a possible 328 games over the last four seasons. But at the end of the day, his record speaks for itself. Tavares has scored at least twenty-four goals in each of his nine seasons with the Islanders. He's topped thirty goals four times, most recently last season when he fell one goal short of his career high 38 goals set just three seasons prior. Along with 47 assists, last season Tavares posted his third career 80-point season. He has scored 272 goals with 621 points in nine seasons which averages out to thirty goals and seventy-four points per season - many of the clutch variety.
But what is clutch if not in the playoffs...?
In the waning years of the contract, sure performance tails off, but attention ultimately turns towards celebrating a long-time player, and the seasons him and fans spent together. That's how clubs ultimately promote and advance their legacy, by endearing old and young fans alike and fostering future ones. That's how they perpetuate their history. Just ask the 1980s Islanders.
And that's exactly what new Islanders ownership is banking on. And that's why they secured Lou Lamoriello, who in turn recruited Barry Trotz into the fold. In fact, Lamoriello is earning raves for his 2018 Enrty Draft selections. But after all John Tavares has been through with this franchise, can they convince him to stay?
If we're being fair about ranking the local sports elite, John Tavares is easily among the greater metropolitan area's top ten athletes among the town's Big Nine major league operations. As a Rangers fan, it would be a shame should the Islanders fail to retain this elite talent. Only great players make for great rivalries.
Granted the running joke in greater New York is that no one cares about hockey. But it's just that, a joke. Islanders need to get this done, or they'll hear from more fans than anyone ever thought existed.
