New York Islanders Roundtable: Tavares’ Worth in Trade Market

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Apr 27, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) reacts after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period in game one of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Farrell Hirsch

To determine a good return for Tavares, you have to first define the direction of the team. And clearly, if JT goes, that means we are starting over.

You also have to realize that you’re trading an elite player, top ten in the game. And the other nine are not available. So you’re looking at a package, that has potential to help form a new Islander nucleus, and it would have to come from a win-now team.

Such a trade feels to me like two budding young stars and a first round pick. And it can’t be in the division. You can’t give Tavares to the Rangers, the Pens, the Flyers, the Caps. So maybe Montréal for Alex Galchenyuk, Mikhail Sergachev, and a first? Maybe Nashville for Ryan Johannsen, Ryan Ellis and a first?

Of course, the best return for Tavares is, was, and will continue to be, that John Tavares returns to the New York Islanders. Despite the preconditions placed upon this assignment, I simply can not fantasize about trading him without adding that caveat.