#IsitOctoberyet was not only my favorite hashtag but also life motto, since July 17, 2017, I was in recovery after two difficult back to back major surgeries. I wanted to be able to walk for hockey season opening! So, I did hold this hashtag so dearly like my life depends on it. Who knows, maybe it was.
For the first Pre-season game in Nassau Coliseum, I wasn’t ready to sit through whole or even one period of the game, but I made it with my cousin and our dog to the outdoor celebration. I was barely moving and needed support, but I was happy!
Islanders started the season with fire under their butts! By December all goes down the hill. I’m not being over judgmental to dramatize situation, but it was very difficult to watched over the games up close and personal from our seasonal seats. It is really frustrating to see team without chemistry between players (except Mat Barazal, Anthony Beauvillier and Anders Lee ) , showing no emotion and no passion for the game. Something was definitely wrong within organization and inside the team. Well, I have plenty of reasonable complaints as season tickets holder for organization, but obviously bad management also had effect on the team and players.
Since early December, as far as I could tell I noticed indifference in John Tavares game and he began slowly disappear from the team and fans. I could say it undoubtedly, because it’s happened to be the view from my so-called privileged seats ,which allowed me to see whole season's drama literally in front of my eyes day by day, game by game. He played, he scored, he got his points on, but it was seemed like obligation, more like a job! He wasn’t Tavares I knew. I thought somehow everyone's attention redirected to the rookie Mat Barzal and his eagerness to succeed and it's also affected John Tavares's ego. “Kid who won the Calder Trophy” were unstoppable with his glory to the top. After all interest to Barzal overflow interest to John exponentially.
Therefore, it makes me believe that Barzal is the one of the reason why Tavares left, not only, but one of them.
I don’t blame Tavares for leaving the Islanders, I was ready to be his fan wherever he chooses to go! Believe me I’m not the only one who's understand why he wanted to leave. Till the last minute I updated my twitter feed and #Tavareswatch every second or two, and I thought it’s should be just formality with contract and this is how it’s supposed to be. But every person who’s anxiously awaited for a news were ghosted by John. I wasn’t surprised that he chose Toronto, I overheard the rumors about his interest with Toronto about year prior, it was his decision and I’m fine with that. But the Way he was misleading everyone and waited way too long to inform about his decision, it's feel like betrayal. He dissed not only organization but incredibly loyal, die-hard Islanders fans. Everyone felt dumbfounded by how disgracefully and dishonestly John handled this situation, reminding that he has reputation for being class act on and off the ice! He’s not just burned the bridges, he blown up the whole Island together with his well-built legacy. Probably now NHL should create new rule to follow for all GM and it should be called Tavares rule ; " If most valuable player of the team refuse to sign extension- trade that son of the bitch player ASAP!"
I will hold on to wish him luck yet. He had the right to leave and now fans have the right to hold the grudge against him. It’s over for Tavares era on Long Island.
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