The John Tavares Affair in Toronto Is a Cautionary Tale for the New York Islanders

The Toronto Maple Leafs deserve credit. They showed John Tavares the door without embarrassing him any more than they had to. To Tavares’ credit, he handled the situation with class and composure.

The Tavares affair is also a case of poetic justice. I’ve read fan comments about how Tavares was less-than-forthcoming when he left The Island. As such, it’s ironic how the Maple Leafs kicked Tavares to the curb.

Be that as it may, the Tavares situation in Toronto is a cautionary tale for the New York Islanders. I’m referring specifically to Anders Lee. Lee went through a tough season last year. He showed some of his lowest career numbers, calling his role on the team into question.

Lee has gone from a top-six forward to a depth piece. Yet, the C remains on his chest. Likewise, some fans have been calling for the torch to be passed to Mathew Barzal. Perhaps Bo Horvat, who was the captain in Vancouver before arriving in New York, could fill the captaincy more effectively.

While who ultimately wears the C is irrelevant in this discussion, one thing stands out: The New York Islanders can’t just dump Lee with the old newspapers. Lee took over the captaincy amid Tavares’ unceremonious departure. Lee has shown that he has the class and leadership to make an impact on an NHL team.

Thus, the Isles must avoid forcing Lee if ever comes to that. While there is no rush to name Barzal or anyone else captain, the Isles must respect the service that Anders Lee has provided the team. That could mean allowing him to ride off into the sunset when his contract is up, allowing Lee to hand over the captaincy on his own terms.

Predicting the Next New York Islanders Captain

I must admit. I haven’t given this question as much thought as I suppose I should. The thought of naming a new captain on The Island seems a bit premature in my mind. Nevertheless, three candidates stand out in my mind.

First, Mathew Barzal seems the most immediate option that comes to mind. Barzal is the Isles’ most visible star. He scores and delivers big plays. He could easily become the face of the franchise, smoothly transitioning into a high-profile leadership role.

Second, the most suited candidate would be Bo Horvat. As I mentioned, Horvat was the captain of the Vancouver Canucks before being traded to New York. Horvat has the experience and maturity to take on such a complex leadership position.

Third, the Isles could take a page from the Canucks’ book and name an up-and-coming star defenseman as captain. That idea points toward Noah Dobson. If Dobson can prove that he’s the real deal on the Isles’ blue line, a case could be made for Dobson to wear the C over Horvat or Barzal.

Personally, I’m comfortable with any of these players taking over for Anders Lee when the time comes. The key issue to remember is that there is no need to rush such a pivotal decision.