John Tavares truly screwed fans of the New York Islanders, but here's why they will get the last laugh...
Sooooo, John Tavares not only led the New York Islanders on a multi-month goose-chase to stroke his own ego, he had the nerve to ASK NOT TO BE TRADED......wow, scumbag....
If Tavares really asked not to be traded, he can say whatever he wants about "his rights" the fact is, it's not about the team, teammates or any of that, its the fans that drove all over the Tri-state era to pay good money so he could make millions to play a game others play for fun.
You don't owe the team, but you either choose to regard those fans on the way out or you don't, the sacrifice is minimal, you get to play elsewhere for a few months, you get to go to the playoffs, and you get the fans back with some assets for the future. It's a gesture that says "I appreciate what you've done, I respect and am grateful that you paid to see me play"
I would have respected him more if he had just said, " F**K you Islanders fans!" at least then he's being real, but to pay them sanctimonious lip-service on one hand, while shafting them with the other, displays what a self-centered charachter you are dealing with.
This is saddly typical of the "new style" NHL player,
A kid who is raised from birth by parents determined to live (and earn money) through their child. Parents who first and foremost instill a sense of entitlement into their "star-in-the-making" and breed the idea that all things in the world are only props designed to further their career in hockey.
Tavares had that "Special designation" hung on him early by Major Junior, and if you think about it, this is a guy who at no point in his life has ever been led to believe anything going on doesn't have him at the center.
How else to explain someone so completely tone-deaf to what a large number of people he claims to be "eternally greatful to" would want. Why else would someone refuse to make what in the grand scheme of things is a very small gesture (And one that will probably be of benifit to him anyway) to the people who "made his dreams come true"
Either he is a liar, or he just doesn't get it, personally, I believe it to be the latter. I believe he believes he is grateful, but I think that fact that he never once thought to entertain anyone else's wishes or benefit but his own clearly displays what the true character of John Tavares is made of. He's never had to consider anyone else, he's the important one, a true son of Eric and the Lindros family who set the mold for current hockey "Family businesses"
It is even borne out in his play, Tavares was one of the first of a new breed of "Score don't pass, it looks better on the stat sheet" center ice men, who on the advice of their agents and parents, stopped using teammates as much and with dollar sings in thier eyes, sought to put as much of the spotlight on themselves as possible. Stamkos, Carter, Mathews, Monahan, Towes, Schenn, Duchane, Staal, Bergeron, Kesler, Rackell......the list goes on and. A generation of center icemen who no longer prioritized setting up plays, but looked first to start and end the play themselves.
To be fair, some of these guys stopped doing that (Tavares along with Stamkos are the first two that come to mind) but the traditional center, who, like the conductor of an orchestra weaved together the talents of his team-mates into something greater than the individual parts, is now a rare breed.
The days of Wayne Gretzky, Brian Trottier, Ron Francis, Mario Lemuiex and Steve Yzerman are becoming a thing of the past, not that these guys couldn't score, but even if they lead the league in goals their assists totals would be more than double that number.
It's no coincidence that THESE GUYS are considered the great champions of hockey. Jeff Carter may have two cups on his resume, but is he any kind of legend? Nope.
Lucky for Islanders fans they have a throwback center who fits the mould of these legendary names better than Tavares EVER did.
Mathew Barazal.
Toronto will win no cups, their line-up of "me-first" hockey brats will never be able to come together to achieve the ultimate price.
But under Barazal, with the way he weaves his teammates together?
I say the Islanders have a chance.
If Tavares really asked not to be traded, he can say whatever he wants about "his rights" the fact is, it's not about the team, teammates or any of that, its the fans that drove all over the Tri-state era to pay good money so he could make millions to play a game others play for fun.
You don't owe the team, but you either choose to regard those fans on the way out or you don't, the sacrifice is minimal, you get to play elsewhere for a few months, you get to go to the playoffs, and you get the fans back with some assets for the future. It's a gesture that says "I appreciate what you've done, I respect and am grateful that you paid to see me play"
I would have respected him more if he had just said, " F**K you Islanders fans!" at least then he's being real, but to pay them sanctimonious lip-service on one hand, while shafting them with the other, displays what a self-centered charachter you are dealing with.
This is saddly typical of the "new style" NHL player,
A kid who is raised from birth by parents determined to live (and earn money) through their child. Parents who first and foremost instill a sense of entitlement into their "star-in-the-making" and breed the idea that all things in the world are only props designed to further their career in hockey.
Tavares had that "Special designation" hung on him early by Major Junior, and if you think about it, this is a guy who at no point in his life has ever been led to believe anything going on doesn't have him at the center.
How else to explain someone so completely tone-deaf to what a large number of people he claims to be "eternally greatful to" would want. Why else would someone refuse to make what in the grand scheme of things is a very small gesture (And one that will probably be of benifit to him anyway) to the people who "made his dreams come true"
Either he is a liar, or he just doesn't get it, personally, I believe it to be the latter. I believe he believes he is grateful, but I think that fact that he never once thought to entertain anyone else's wishes or benefit but his own clearly displays what the true character of John Tavares is made of. He's never had to consider anyone else, he's the important one, a true son of Eric and the Lindros family who set the mold for current hockey "Family businesses"
It is even borne out in his play, Tavares was one of the first of a new breed of "Score don't pass, it looks better on the stat sheet" center ice men, who on the advice of their agents and parents, stopped using teammates as much and with dollar sings in thier eyes, sought to put as much of the spotlight on themselves as possible. Stamkos, Carter, Mathews, Monahan, Towes, Schenn, Duchane, Staal, Bergeron, Kesler, Rackell......the list goes on and. A generation of center icemen who no longer prioritized setting up plays, but looked first to start and end the play themselves.
To be fair, some of these guys stopped doing that (Tavares along with Stamkos are the first two that come to mind) but the traditional center, who, like the conductor of an orchestra weaved together the talents of his team-mates into something greater than the individual parts, is now a rare breed.
The days of Wayne Gretzky, Brian Trottier, Ron Francis, Mario Lemuiex and Steve Yzerman are becoming a thing of the past, not that these guys couldn't score, but even if they lead the league in goals their assists totals would be more than double that number.
It's no coincidence that THESE GUYS are considered the great champions of hockey. Jeff Carter may have two cups on his resume, but is he any kind of legend? Nope.
Lucky for Islanders fans they have a throwback center who fits the mould of these legendary names better than Tavares EVER did.
Mathew Barazal.
Toronto will win no cups, their line-up of "me-first" hockey brats will never be able to come together to achieve the ultimate price.
But under Barazal, with the way he weaves his teammates together?
I say the Islanders have a chance.
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