Ex-Islanders GM shares the truth about the John Tavares free agency turmoil in 2018

PUBLICATION

Mike Armenti
August 20, 2023 (11:51)

SHARE THIS STORY

In the five years since his departure from Long Island, John Tavares has endured a tremendous amount of verbal abuse from the Islanders' fanbase and the vitriol hasn't softened over time. Many believe Tavares played them and knew he was going to leave when the time came. However, his former GM in along Island, Garth Snow, spoke to the New York Times and explained the entire situation, even defending Tavares.

"He didn't do anything wrong," said Snow. "I feel so bad that [Tavares] gets trashed for something that wasn't his fault. The Islanders could have traded him if they wanted to, but that decision was made. So it's not his fault the Islanders didn't trade him."

Snow revealed a shocking detail this week, offering up the information that it was ownership's decision not to trade Tavares under any circumstances.

"That decision by Scott Malkin was that we weren't gonna trade him under any circumstances. He was totally committed to re-signing him. I think the quote I had said is, 'Are you willing to drive the car off the cliff if you go through the season and get to free agency?' He was comfortable with that. That's the bottom line."

Snow stated that the Islanders were engaged in negotiation talks with Tavares an entire year earlier and were prepared to offer him $10M per season during the summer of 2017. Per Snow, the talks never went very far.

This is some eye-opening information and hopefully the Islanders fanbase, upon learning these details, will ease up on John a little bit. He was open to being moved, as Snow had clearly stated. He's not a snake, he's not a traitor, he's just a guy who caught a fade from fans after ownership dropped the ball.

Source: NYPost

Previously on HockeyUnplugged

Line brawl breaks out during University Hockey Game

Former player shares illegal activity John Tortorella encouraged player to take part in to break a slump

Central Division team signs 6-foot-7 RFA defenseman to 1-year deal

POLL
AOUT 20 \| 329 ANSWERS Ex-Islanders GM shares the truth about the John Tavares free agency turmoil in 2018 Does this information change how you look at John Tavares?
No, he's still a snake	51	15.5 %
Yes, this information is eye-opening	57	17.3 %
Don't care	160	48.6 %
See results	61	18.5 %
List of polls

Ex-Islanders GM shares the truth about the John Tavares free agency turmoil in 2018

Does this information change how you look at John Tavares?