On John Tavares and the New York Islanders …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Bob McKenzie was on TSN 1050 and was asked if the John Tavares – New York Islanders situation has changed in the past few weeks. McKenzie said he doesn’t think so but isn’t completely sure. McKenzie’s opinion and not fact-based:
“My sense of it is that it’s more likely than not that he’s going to go market. That’s my sense. And I think a lot of people feel that way. Now, if you’re a New York Islanders fan you’re predisposed to not want to think like that and you get angry if anybody like myself suggests that that’s a possibility. Of course it’s a possibility, and whether it happens or not remains to be seen.
“But I don’t know. I just get the sense the year that they’ve had has not been a great year. It’s not been a great year on the ice and they’re not trending in the right direction in terms of wanting to hitch your wagon to that horse for seven or eight years.”
McKenzie thinks he could test the market to see what’s out there before committing to the Islanders.
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman was on Sportsnet 590 and was asked about John Tavares and New York Islanders. Friedman says that after the season the Islanders will go to Tavares to see that they can do to go a deal done.
thinks that Tavares was disappointed that they didn’t do anything at the trade deadline, and they will likely tell him they were handcuffed, that they had to keep their assets in case he moved on. If Tavares leaves in free agency, the Islanders will need their two lottery picks.
“The rumor around hockey is that he’s not happy with the way everything was handled. But until John Tavares says it for himself, we’re all guessing. But there is certainly a feeling that it’s less optimistic for them than before. However, I’ve learned over the years until the athlete speaks for himself or the agent comes right out and says it, you’re still guessing.
“And I’m sure the Islanders are going to go to him and say, ‘John, what do we have to do to make this work.’ “