John Tavares was the biggest example of the spectacle the NHL has seen in decades. In the two weeks since #TavaresWatch ended, much has been made about the longtime Islanders captain opting to leave for the pull of the Maple Leafs, a team he grew up idolizing. So the Ontario native felt the need to explain the courting process — six teams made pitches to Tavares’ camp — and the conflicting forces that made his decision so difficult in an emotional apology to Islanders fans in the Players’ Tribune.
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Scorned fans — and some in the media — have been critical of Tavares’ timing. He was accused of misleading the Islanders, not clearing a midseason trade if his intention was to leave, and dragging out the drama longer than necessary. He defended himself against those claims.
“Which is why I want to say this as deliberately and as clearly as possible: In no way had I made up my mind yet, as far as where I was signing, before I took those free-agency meetings. In no way.”
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“And I for sure know there will still be some people who think I signed a wink-wink contract with the Maples Leafs, in secret, on Christmas morning of 1997. (Not true, though for the record I would have if they’d offered.)”
Tavares’ letter goes on for 4,286 words. He touches on his earliest memories rooting for the Maple Leafs, including the viral bed photo he shared in announcing the decision July 1. Then he shares an amusing behind-the-scenes story about being locked in a broom closest inside Montreal’s Bell Centre after the Islanders selected him No. 1 overall in 2009.
Tavares wrote that his decision to sign with the Maple Leafs went deeper than childhood fandom. He mentioned how the Leafs “have a strong, young core that’s accomplished a lot in a short amount of time,” referencing Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mitch Marner. He complimented the braintrust of Kyle Dubas, Brendan Shanahan and Mike Babcock, “great people with an impressive plan for where this team can go — and an exciting vision for how I can be a part of it.”
The Islanders missed the playoffs in six out of Tavares’ nine seasons. He handed out thank-yous to former general manager Garth Snow and a number of teammates through the years, noting the franchise has a “bright future,” even as he moves on. And when it comes to the fanfare and hurt feelings, Tavares said he understands.
“But it’s also important to me that I don’t sell anyone short, here. It’s why I wanted to write this letter in the first place: so that all of you Islanders Faithful really do know how much I cherished our time together. Because I was born in Toronto — and that’s never going to change. But I grew up on Long Island — and now that won’t change, either.”
Tavares’ remarks can be read in their entirety at the Players’ Tribune.
