John Tavares has gotten a lot of hate over his decision to leave the New York Islanders organization for the Toronto Maple Leafs in free agency 5 years ago. Most Islander fans believe that Tavares wronged them and as such, have made their disdain known every time he returns, but is the hate Tavares gets justified? Not according to this former Islander personnel.
According to former long time general manger Garth Snow, Tavares gets way more than is deserved, especially in part because ownership had decided in the last year of his contract with the islanders they weren't going to trade him at the 2018 trade deadline.
No doubt Islander fans will still show their hatred for Tavares for as long as he plays for the Maple Leafs, but his departure from New York solely on the islanders ownership and their failings, not much else.
