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NFT: Serious Question about why Isles would pay Tavares

Essex : 2/19/2018 4:10 pm
Why would the Isles not trade him and start over. They are going to have to pay him in excess of 10 million bucks a year for a guy that has won one playoff series in his career. They could not put a team around him while paying him a lesser salary (I know that for a time the Isles wouldn't pay for a team but that hasn't been the case in recent years), what makes them think they will be able to do so while breaking the bank for him. In other words, his cap hit is going to prevent them from putting better pieces around him. In addition, the years on the contract are going to be very high, and he will be 28 this September. I am a Rangers fan, but never understood this "we have to resign" Tavares deal. Would love to be educated on it.
Things might be different  
Jay on the Island : 2/19/2018 4:21 pm : link
if they brought in a real GM.
RE: Things might be different  
Essex : 2/19/2018 4:23 pm : link
In comment 13836318 Jay on the Island said:
Quote:
if they brought in a real GM.

Not to be a jerk, but that is what I heard about Capuano and I think the Islanders were a much better team with him than they have been without him, especially on the defensive end.
The Islanders have pieces  
Jay on the Island : 2/19/2018 4:25 pm : link
Barzal is a lock for rookie of the year. What they really need is to find a great goalie. They should inquire about the availability of Grubauer in Washington or wait and sign Aaron Dell in free agency in hopes that he is the answer.
They have to pay Tavares  
Mike from Ohio : 2/19/2018 5:35 pm : link
They have talent around him now - offensively at least - but those players are good because they are complements to Tavares. Lose him, and this team is not only weak in goal and on defense, but they would suddenly not be able to score. Lee is useful in front of the net when defenses focus on Tavares and pucks are getting to the net. Bailey is useful because he is a really good passer, not a finisher.

Barzal centering the second line with Eberle and Beauvilier/Ladd makes that line dangerous. If Tavares goes and Barzal moves to the top line, they have one line you have to worry about.

Goal is a problem, but they are bad defensively also. They lost DeHaan for the year, Leddy is having an off year, and they are playing a lot of kids that are more offensive-defenesemen than solid defenders. That can (hopefully_ be tightened up next year which should help support the goaltending.

And from a fan perspective, not doing everything you can to re-sign Tavares tells your fan base you are not committed to winning. They are opening a new arena in three years and you need a reason for fans to believe you are committed to winning. Tavares is a huge part of that.
NHL teams  
pjcas18 : 2/19/2018 7:52 pm : link
are built up the middle, in net, and with your top D.

C's are probably the hardest part of that equation to fill.

top 4 D come available, goalies get hot and cold, but the elusive top line center doesn't trade places very often.

this summer the NHL had top 20 centers, here is the list:
McDavid
Crosby
Malkin
Matthews
Backstrom
Tavares
Stamkos
Seguin
Getzlaf
Scheifele
Bergeron
Toews
Kopitar
Eichel
Draisaitl
Johansen
Barkov
Carter
Kuznetzov
Monahan

Of those only three, to the best of my knowledge only Seguin, Johansen and Carter have played on multiple teams.

Seguin was traded as a 21-year old for non-hockey reason (presumably).

Johansen was traded for Seth Jones, a 21 year old top 10 D.

And Carter was traded to CBJ for Jakub Voracek, Sean Coturier, and another player (two all-stars - though one was a 1st round pick).

Point is these guys are so hard to find, you pay them, and keep them except in extreme circumstances.

I don't think the Islanders are an extreme circumstance.
Love Tavares but, I get your premise  
Diversify yo bonds : 2/20/2018 3:07 am : link
I don't believe that paying him 12+ for 8 will bring them any closer to a cup.

PJ is correct in his well researched post. You don't let elite centers get away. As long as you have he and Barzal there is hope and asses in seats. They have to do it. I just have doubts they can reliably construct a roster around him given the current cap mismanagement.
I also doubt his next 8 seasons will be within 75% of his first 8  
Diversify yo bonds : 2/20/2018 3:16 am : link
The real tragedy is how Snow and ownership have pissed away Tavares prime on his bargain contract.

Two Hart nominations. Came within minutes of a scoring title unti Jamie Benn pulled two empty net goals out of his ass (not bitter). Made a half dozen wingers wildly rich on contracts they couldn't live up to without him.

All they have to show is a first round win over a sunbelt team.
RE: I also doubt his next 8 seasons will be within 75% of his first 8  
KWhite2250 : 2/20/2018 8:14 am : link
In comment 13836728 Diversify yo bonds said:
Quote:
The real tragedy is how Snow and ownership have pissed away Tavares prime on his bargain contract.

Two Hart nominations. Came within minutes of a scoring title unti Jamie Benn pulled two empty net goals out of his ass (not bitter). Made a half dozen wingers wildly rich on contracts they couldn't live up to without him.

All they have to show is a first round win over a sunbelt team.


A first round win where they got badly outplayed the entire series. Being an isles fan absolutely sucks
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