Flashback to July 1, 2018. A day that will live in infamy in the hearts of NY Islanders’ fans everywhere. The day John Tavares packed his bags, left Long Island for good, and signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Most fans can tell you where they were and what they were doing at the exact moment they heard the news that Tavares would not be re-signing with the Islanders.
Schaefer opens a new chapter in the post-Tavares era
Tavares, the Captain and best player for the Islanders in what felt like forever, was a symbol of hope for the organization that had suffered nothing but heartache for the better part of 30+ years.