Fansided · Jul 17, 2025
What if John Tavares never left the Islanders?
Florida Panthers v New York Islanders | Abbie Parr/GettyImagesImagine an alternate universe in which John Tavares never signs with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs in the summer of 2018 – a universe in which he remains captain of the New York Islanders and becomes a foundational piece of a promising organization.
Imagine that Tavares stays on Long Island and plays alongside a blossoming Mathew Barzal, a skilled, young centerman who has the opportunity to develop (and win) under Tavares' leadership. And imagine further that the Islanders still win the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery and select dynamic, right-shot defenseman Matthew Schaefer at No. 1 overall to be their next franchise cornerstone.