What is the next step for Islanders with Tavares?

Fans and observers of the New York Islanders still absorb the astonishing truth: John Tavares is gone. He is now a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mo (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = " (Let it flow for a moment if necessary.) "data-reactid =" 19 "> (Let it flow for a moment if necessary.)

Like Arthur Staple of Athletic noted by confirming the departure of Tavares (under-required), there will be a lot of scoring after the departure of the franchise. Fueled by hindsight, critics will beat Islanders to get nothing – aside from the ceiling space – for Tavares. Do not trade Tavares by missing the playoffs in 2017-2018.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Tavares, for its part, said at see the fans of the Islanders in a message that was too big for a tweet He called it "the hardest decision of my" Islanders fans are not yet ready to forgive him. " data-reactid = "21"> Tavares, for his part, said goodbye to Island fans in a message that was too big for a tweet . He called it "the most difficult decision of my life". Supporters of Islanders are not quite ready to forgive him for the moment.

So, for Islanders, what is the next step? You know, beyond putting up sad GIFs, take a long walk, and cry flat? Here is a first look at good and bad while we are dealing with the ugly.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = " What's left after a final strong-and-futile push "data-reactid =" 23 "> What remains after a strong and futile final push

How far have the Islanders arrived for bring back Tavares? In the end, we may never know it.

The Islanders have a very different look after this last push. This is a veteran front office, considering the age of GM Lou Lamoriello (75 years old) and head coach Barry Trotz (55 years old)

(Certainly, Trotz is younger than I originally thought.)

I wonder if these two will really have patience for much more than a simple rebuilding, but that's an interesting consideration.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mo (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = " Rebuild or reload? "data-reactid =" 28 "> Rebuild or reload?

On the one hand, there are commitments that have been made thinking of a future fueled by Tavares. After bringing back Thomas Hickey, the Islanders are committed to five defensemen for at least three seasons, including four for four or more. The extension of Josh Bailey seemed to come from imagining attached to Tavares in the foreseeable future; will the winger be worth $ 5 million per season until 2023-24 without him?

Make a call to "rebuild or reload?" soon is imperative to avoid losing more valuable assets for an unrestricted free agency. Jordan Eberle's $ 6 million hit will expire after 2018-1919, as well as Anders Lee's $ 3.75 million cheap clip. Islanders would be advised to understand a) they want to keep one or both before and b) if Eberle and / or Lee want to sign extensions.

If the answer is "no," Islanders could pick up some good assets for these markers, especially if there is a rebuilding in mind.

Lee, in particular, could bring back a premium. The big winger wins this low price cap, and his 74 goals in the last two seasons tie him to Auston Matthews for fifth place in the NHL. (And it's not so far from the first, Alex Ovechkin, who scored 82 goals during this period.)

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm "type =" text "content =" The thing is, the Islanders could try to compete in 2018-19. "data-reactid =" 33 "> The fact is that the Islanders could try to compete in 2018-1919.

An interesting consideration would be to pick on Ryan O'Reilly. Of course, ROR is not Tavares, but he is a talented two-man center that could take on tough tasks while Mathew Barzal was taking advantage of offensive opportunities in gold.

You could do worse than make ice cream in the center while hoping that Trotz's system plugs the many leaks that the Isles suffered with Doug Weight behind the bench. Goaltender Thomas Greiss really has no choice but to do after all.

There is no doubt that if the Islanders want to fight for next season, they will have to ask tough questions about Greiss's viability. net.

Realistically, a reconstruction ("soft" or complete) would probably be the best course of action for Islanders. Given the depth of the quality teams in the subway, it can be summed up in their only real choice.

At least this scenario without Tavares is more promising today than it was before June 22.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = " Some bright spots "data-reactid =" 39 "> Some positives

It is probably difficult for Islanders fans to consider leaving Tavares and Garth Snow to be ousted soon after this horrible display campaign, but there are some positives to consider. One thing, Barzal won the Calder 2018 Trophy thanks to one of the most dazzling seasons of the last season. This clip could appease some of these hard feelings for Islanders fans

Story Continues