NY Islanders 17-18

[strosedefence34 175]

https://eyesonisles.com/2017/12/19/new-york-islanders-awarded-belmont-park-report/ 

Some pretty big news for the Islanders.  As a long time fan, I am extremely excited for this.  They just have to figure out what they are going to do for the next couple of seasons while they build.  I hear Albany has an opening...

[IPv6Freely 2092]

I wonder how much that upps the odds of Tavares sticking around. I would have put it at about a 15% chance prior to today. Maybe a 50/50 now?

[strosedefence34 175]

6 minutes ago, IPv6Freely said:

I wonder how much that upps the odds of Tavares sticking around. I would have put it at about a 15% chance prior to today. Maybe a 50/50 now?

I'd like to think more 75/25 but who knows.  He's always said he wants to stay on the island, of course, he is the captain and has to say those things.

[chippa13 1844]

I take him at his word. I think he legitimately wants to stay on the Island and wants the team's future to be decided. If they don't start building a new arena then there would be the distinct possibility of relocation. He knows he's going to be a max length contract and wants to sign it knowing where he is going to be spending those years.

[IPv6Freely 2092]

Exactly. 

[the_game 452]

New Belmont Arena will be open for the start of the 2020 season and the Isles will renegotiate to stay at Barclays until then. Tavares signing is all but automatic now, knowing him though and his commitment and wanting to win, maybe slightly less than the max money with max years is my thought.

[IPv6Freely 2092]

3 minutes ago, the_game said:

New Belmont Arena will be open for the start of the 2020 season and the Isles will renegotiate to stay at Barclays until then. Tavares signing is all but automatic now, knowing him though and his commitment and wanting to win, maybe slightly less than the max money with max years is my thought.

I'm still not convinced it's automatic unless he sees some sign of the team not being a dumpster fire anymore. Building is nice and all, but I don't think I'd want to sign a long-term deal unless there was SOMETHING positive with the team itself going on. 

[chippa13 1844]

The Isles are the top goal scoring team in the league, currently sitting in the 2nd wild card spot and only 4 points out of the division lead. They have the number 2 scoring rookie right now in Barzal. That all looks like "something positive" to me.

[beerleaguecaptain 999]

5 hours ago, IPv6Freely said:

I'm still not convinced it's automatic unless he sees some sign of the team not being a dumpster fire anymore. Building is nice and all, but I don't think I'd want to sign a long-term deal unless there was SOMETHING positive with the team itself going on. 

You don't know him like fans on LI do.  Very loyal guy.  True leader.  Humble.  He will stay.

[Jamarquan 201]

11 hours ago, dkmiller3356 said:

You don't know him like fans on LI do.  Very loyal guy.  True leader.  Humble.  He will stay.

Completely agree. He's loyal and has been with the franchise through thick and thin. His only reservation was the arena deal, which has just been solved. Hopefully he can take a small pay cut to help keep the team competitive, not that I think he has the lifestyle to where he needs his current salary ($5.5m) anyway.

 

Edit: Tavares makes $5.5m, not 6.5

[strosedefence34 175]

He is supposed to be present at the announcement today.  Maybe he will ink his contract extension there? 

[the_game 452]

JT has been waiting for the arena deal and the right ownership, both of which are locked in now. 

I think my only question is does ownership do anything with Snow as GM. I remember maybe a year or so ago there were talks of the Isles adopting and bringing in a name for the "President of Hockey Ops" like Calgary/Toronto, wonder if thats still a thought. 

[strosedefence34 175]

Looks like 2018-19 season will be played at Barclays and then after that they will explore options.  Twitter suggest possible split between the Coliseum and Barclays.

[adam14 182]

I actually went to watch the Islanders play the ducks the other day, and it's a shame that the Barclays center has such a weird seating layout because the arena its self is spectacular. 

I think he'll stay but his contract is definitely going up to the 8-10 mil range, which is quite fair considering his skill set. I consider him a top 3 center in the league in terms of all around play and consistency. 

 

As someone in Ontario who doesn't watch every islanders game, I'd suggest people tune in, they are a fun team to watch right now.

[strosedefence34 175]

Isles sign Mayfield to a 5-year deal $1.45 mill per season https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/mayfield-agrees-to-five-year-deal/c-294641990

I don't hate this deal.  He is not a top 4 defenceman and he isn't making top 4 money which is okay.  He is pretty consistent so over all not a bad deal.