Islanders fans "welcome" John Tavares back to the Island

[bluck]

Rough night so far for JT. Started off with Jerseys and Snakes being thrown at him during warmup, followed by "A**hole" chants and "We don't need you" all night long. I do feel bad for him, he gave a lot to that city and made a choice but I can also understand the hate. Too bad the Leafs didn't show up even a little for Tavares.











More images below:
http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/2...ck-long-island

[Mr.Coffee]

Do we know if the Islanders made him the biggest cash offer?

If they did, okay, sort of have a minor point. But I don’t think they did. In which case, would anyone do anything differently? I believe it was San Jose who made the best cash offer no? Taxes included in consideration?

So how is he a “traitor”? Sounds like a business man. Which is what NHL players are.

[Bunk]

I think it's fun. Good for them.

[Buzzard]

Snakes, really?

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by Bunk

I think it's fun. Good for them.

At least it shows they care.

[AC]

Here's what the video tribute sounded like in person since TSN just played the video audio:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1101279190723235841

[Captaincanada80]

Originally Posted by Buzzard

Snakes, really?

I’d be so terrified of the snakes, probably couldn’t probably play

[Moneyhands23]

Looks like the game isnt going well for him either

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Don't f*** with New Yorkers. They don't forgive, and they don't forget.

[Canada 02]

he was offered 8 x $11M from NYI
Leafs gave him maximum 7 x $11M

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Do we know if the Islanders made him the biggest cash offer?

If they did, okay, sort of have a minor point. But I don’t think they did. In which case, would anyone do anything differently? I believe it was San Jose who made the best cash offer no? Taxes included in consideration?

So how is he a “traitor”? Sounds like a business man. Which is what NHL players are.

I don’t think he left Long Island cause he wasn’t getting the money there as well. He chose to play fir the leafs cause that’s where he wanted to play, which I agree with you, there’s nothing wrong with.

But I get why the Isles fans would be jaded, and I also support there rights to jeer him, although that was getting to cring worthy levels and I did start to feel bad for him. But Flames fan boo Phaneuf (no where near at that level) for simply getting traded, it happens.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by Captaincanada80

I’d be so terrified of the snakes, probably couldn’t probably play

plastic snakes

[Buzzard]

nm

[AC]

Isles fans are definitely pissed that Tavares strung the team along then left.

Hard situation for him, but he probably should have just given them the a-ok to trade him and get a great collection of picks/prospects back.

Of course, Isles fans would probably still be pissed...

[SaskUke]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Don't f*** with New Yorkers. They don't forgive, and they don't forget.

Well, it could be worse. The Flyer faithful once booed a group of 9/11 widows.

[カナダ人です]

I mean, his contract was met, concluded, and he was an unrestricted free agent. He was then free to sign with another team or do whatever the F he wanted.

Sometimes I think the fans think the players "owe" them a bit too much. It's a business after all. The players are employees and make money, the owners make even more money, etc.

Although, makes for a cool playoff like atmosphere! haha

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Do we know if the Islanders made him the biggest cash offer?

If they did, okay, sort of have a minor point. But I don’t think they did. In which case, would anyone do anything differently? I believe it was San Jose who made the best cash offer no? Taxes included in consideration?

So how is he a “traitor”? Sounds like a business man. Which is what NHL players are.

Originally Posted by カナダ人です

I mean, his contract was met, concluded, and he was an unrestricted free agent. He was then free to sign with another team or do whatever the F he wanted.

Sometimes I think the fans think the players "owe" them a bit too much. It's a business after all. The players are employees and make money, the owners make even more money, etc.

Although, makes for a cool playoff like atmosphere! haha

It's not just that he left, it's that he said he'd stay and then left

[Jetfire]

Originally Posted by btimbit

It's not just that he left, it's that he said he'd stay and then left

Yeah, strung them along til free agency then bolted. They would have done everything in their power to trade his rights for at least something had he let them know what he was really thinking even a little bit earlier, but he certainly screwed the team over pretty hard.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Jetfire

Yeah, strung them along til free agency then bolted. They would have done everything in their power to trade his rights for at least something had he let them know what he was really thinking even a little bit earlier, but he certainly screwed the team over pretty hard.

Exactly. Told the team he wanted to stay so he wouldn't get moved at the deadline, then left anyway.

A lot of us would react the same way I think

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by btimbit

It's not just that he left, it's that he said he'd stay and then left

exactly.

anyone really think the NYI wouldn't have traded him prior to him becoming a UFA if they weren't given indications that he'd stay?

NYI got played, but they are partially to blame too...

I love the guys in Calgary, but there is zero chance I'd let Gaudreau/Tkachuk/Monny/Lindholm walk away for nothing on July 1st. They'd be gone the 3 week of June if they aren't signed