Trapper
Registered User
- Nov 21, 2013
- 24,214
- 11,985
The growing up in NY was nice and I agree, all the rest probably won’t be touching to the fans. NY doesn’t care about Gilmour in ‘93 or the Leaf pajamas any more than we would care about Matthews learning to love the game in Arizona if he left UFA.The issue I have with this article is that he directs it as a response to Islanders fans. If this had been an article put out in a couple of months, I'd be a great view into the mind of Tavares with a lot of nostalgia going both ways. But as a response to how Islanders fans feel right now? Not good. A good response to Islanders fans would be concise, honest, and no bull****ting around. It should go something like: "I grew with the Islanders and had 9 wonderful years in the organization. My feelings for the franchise will be something I carry with me for life. But I am also a professional with a short career that I need to make the most of, and this is my one big chance to influence it. I had to do what was right for me as a professional, and for my family. The Leafs offered us a direction and an opportunity that continued to elude the Islanders, and so I had to make the tough decision to leave."
Something like that. Probably change the wording to illustrate and include the point that it was a decision he arrived at in the courting period. But Islanders fans are pissed and bewildered. Throwing lots of nostalgia and professions of love at them now is not going to help things. That's like being dumped and asking why, and all you get are assurances that you are a great person and that they care for you. You don't want that. You want to know why.
He should have been as honest as he could about how he no longer believed in the direction of the team. That's something they could at least relate to.
Overall it was a very nice sentiment but we can look at it objectively because we didn’t lose, the Islander fans lost. They lost for multiple reasons and most of them ring hollow. They most likely will never forgive us, even if the eventually forgive JT.
But now the next chapter starts so let’s see if the kid who grew up in NY can evolve into a champion in Toronto.