Here`s a brief overview of insights gathered from the past week in hockey, covering both serious and lighter topics, and looking at things from multiple angles. The off-season period has begun. Let`s go, Petey!
Considering how star players have previously left teams without any compensation in return, the situation with Mitch Marner potentially departing Toronto bears a strong resemblance to John Tavares`s exit from Long Island.
One might wonder how that earlier departure was received?
In 2018, Tavares became a highly sought-after free agent after having his second-highest scoring season (84 points).
Kyle Dubas, the then-manager, successfully attracted Tavares to the Toronto Maple Leafs; a key part of the recruitment effort reportedly included a video featuring a promising young winger.
Now, Marner, who is reportedly open to being courted by other teams, is set to leave without yielding any assets for the Maple Leafs, following his own most productive season (102 points).
To be fair, one difference between the two situations is that the Maple Leafs qualified for the playoffs, whereas the Islanders did not in 2018.
However, what is undeniable in both instances, along with the resulting frustration, is the exceptionally poor handling of valuable team assets.
Tristan Blackwood