Tavares calm in the Isle of the storm
Former Islanders captain returns to Long Island for first time since signing with Leafs
John Tavares wanted no part of any war of words ahead of Thursday’s hockey homecoming against the New York Islanders in Uniondale, where he’s likely to receive a rough reception from the crowd.
“You have a sense of what it might be like,” the former Isles captain said after Tuesday’s Leafs practice. “So whoever it is, I just go out and try and play and help the Maple Leafs.”
Nassau Coliseum was Tavares’s NHL home for nine seasons, before the Mississauga-born all-star fulfilled a boyhood dream by signing with his hometown team last summer for $77 million (U.S.) over seven seasons.
The Islanders drafted him first overall in 2009 and he was the face of the franchise until that Canada Day deal. Bitterness has lingered ever since among the Isles fan base, some of whom felt Tavares knew all along that he’d be leaving and left his old club no time to try to fill the void.
They have voiced their displeasure in many ways — most recently in a widely shared video that features a cross-section of fans lashing out at Tavares. He knows what’s coming, but is trying to play it cool.
“I think it’s great being at the Coliseum, no doubt — for my self personally, starting there, first game, first goal, lot of great memories,” he said. “A big part is being part of Islander history, being at that rink, and fun to be back there again.”
The Islanders, under former Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello, found a way to regroup after Tavares’ exit and are among the best teams in the East. They will play out the rest of the season at Nassau Coliseum, their original rink and the oldest in the NHL. They switched back to Uniondale after three seasons where they either played full- time at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, or bounced between the two.
The Leafs and Isles have plenty of history at the old rink, including a raucous playoff series in 2002, which Toronto won in seven games. In those days, most teams stayed at the Marriott hotel across the parking lot from the Coliseum. The Leafs, however, stayed a few miles from the arena back then, partly because of safety concerns — including threats against Leaf Darcy Tucker, a target after a controversial hit on Isles centre Mike Peca the year before.
Now, for entirely different reasons, Tavares is the fans’ target.
“I’m not trying to overthink it,” Tavares said. “I am just going out there trying to be myself … and help the Leafs.
“Obviously, my first time back, it is what it is. Whatever reception I get, I will just try and go out there and play.”
Tavares has given the Leafs full value in his first season, leading the team in goals with 35 — three shy of his career high, set in 2014-15 — and by example.
He went to great lengths — including a heartfelt letter to Isles fans — to explain the reasoning behind his free-agent decision last summer, and says he still feels indebted to the franchise.
“I really embraced being an Islander,” said Tavares, a two-time Hart Trophy finalist with the club. “I loved it. It was a great place to play. I never didn’t enjoy my time there.
“When things weren’t going well, I did everything I could to hopefully help the team and win a Stanley Cup. And unfortunately we weren’t able to do that, and I take responsibility, especially being the captain — not doing a good enough job consistently, and that’s all I tried to do. I tried to be the best player and person I could be, and you learn a lot.
“I learned a lot there and grew a lot. Really thankful for the impact a lot of people had on me. So for me, I really tried to give it everything I had on a daily basis, and tried to do the best I can for the Islanders, and I was really proud to be one of them.”
Before Thursday’s game, though, Tavares’s focus will be on Connor McDavid and the Oilers, who play at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night. With Leafs centre Nazem Kadri recovering from a concussion and not expected to play, it could be Tavares who draws the assignment of covering McDavid, who will no doubt be fired up after missing two games with a suspension for a head hit.
Kadri did shooting drills on goalie Frederik Andersen on Tuesday, but remains in concussion protocol. He must still be cleared to skate full-out, then participate in a full practice with contact before a return to game action.
Defenceman Jake Gardiner (back) didn’t practise and is questionable for the Edmonton game.