NY Islanders fans made Tavares “pay the price” says former GM Lou Lamoriello

Lou Lamoriello didn’t hesitate when reflecting on the emotional fallout from John Tavares’ departure and his return to Long Island. Speaking on the Cam & Strick podcast, the former New York Islanders GM acknowledged what everyone in the hockey world witnessed — a fanbase that felt betrayed and responded accordingly.

“It wasn't hard to watch for me because, you know, I wasn't there when John was there,” Lamoriello said. “In fact, you know, when he made a decision to go and, you know, everybody was upset at him, listen, that's the right he had. That was part of the collective bargaining agreement.”

Lamoriello struck a balanced tone, making clear that Tavares exercised his contractual right to leave in free agency. But that didn’t mean there wouldn’t be consequences — at least from a fan perspective. Islanders fans, long starved for stability and success, had invested years into Tavares as the face of the franchise. When he chose to leave, the reaction was inevitable.

“So he made a decision that was best for him that he had every right to do,” Lamoriello continued, before pivoting to what stood out most to him — the fans. “But I loved the fans. I loved our fans and the passion they had and what they did to get the building going.”

Lamoriello and Barry Trotz inherited a team coming off a disastrous season under Doug Weight, one that had missed the playoffs and allowed the most goals in the league. What followed Tavares' leaving for Toronto was a cultural reset — and the fans were central to it.

“They are passionate and they care,” Lamoriello said. “And, you know, so be it. And he made that decision and, you know, paid the price.”

That “price” wasn’t contractual — it was emotional. And on Long Island, that still matters.