New York Islanders John Tavares’ Signature Is All That Counts

The Islanders are back to their early off season ways this year despite a herculean effort down the stretch. But in the end only one thing counts.

As a result, I’m sure there will be a ton of talk about what’s going to happen before next season. Will we get a team president? Who will go in the expansion? Will there be any moves to upgrade the team? Where are we going to play, and wherever that is, will the YeSUV follow?

This week’s hot topic is, “What does the Doug Weight decision mean?” Is it a vote of confidence for Garth Snow?  Is it a sign that John Tavares wanted him as the coach? Is he the right man for the job?

We will all be compelled to continue reading this kind of speculation because it will mean paying less attention to those hockey teams that are still playing. Those hockey teams that all made deals at the deadline. Those teams that made more effective coaching changes. The hockey teams that managed their goal tending situation like they know what they’re doing.

New York Islanders

The Leafs Did It In Two

I will most certainly give a cursory glance to every rumor that comes out, every prognostication, every prediction. The last thing I want to do is watch as Toronto, God forbid, does something in the second year of their rebuild that the Islanders failed to do the last two seasons in years eight and nine of theirs. Skimming, however, is all I will do.

The closed off, opaque nature of this team’s front office over a decade worth of “rebuilding” has taught me that motives don’t matter. Why Capuano was the coach for so long doesn’t matter.

Why Jaroslav Halak was in the AHL when we needed goalie help doesn’t matter. Why the team has done effectively nothing at the trade deadline three years running does… not… matter.

All that matters is the result. The reasons can’t matter because they are never provided. When that’s the case, how can you judge based on anything other than the outcome? The results to this point have been mediocre at best and, thankfully for Garth Snow, the fans have put up with them.

There is a result, however, that I doubt will be tolerated by this fan base though.

In the words of David Mamet as relayed by Alex Baldwin:

"“Only one thing counts in this life. Get them to sign on the line which is dotted.”"

I would include the next sentence in an open letter to the Islanders front office, but I don’t think it would be well received. Make no mistake though, where, who, what, why, and how do not matter until the ink has set on John Tavares’ extension.

Next: Time to Trade Hamonic

My hope is that Garth Snow is in an office somewhere watching Glengarry Glen Ross on a loop. Getting himself psyched up for that negotiation.  God help him and God help us all if July 1st passes without that extension