After spending nine seasons on Long Island, John Tavares became an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2017-18 season. The New York Islanders did all they could to bring their captain back. They hired general manager Lou Lamoriello and brought on Stanley Cup-winning coach Barry Trotz. They offered Tavares a lot of money.
Instead, the star center spurned the Islanders, signing a 7-year, $77 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Islanders fans did not handle this turncoat behavior well. Eight months later, they finally had a chance to voice their displeasure as the Toronto Maple Leafs played at Nasseau Coliseum. Isles fans showed they had very long memories.
You guys, the Tavares Hatefest was a multi-day event.
Leading up to the game
Overdramatic fan video
John Tavares brokes #Isles fans hearts when he left for Toronto in July. Thursday he’ll face those fans on LI for the first time. It won’t be a warm reception. Watch #DearJohn today on @News12. @eyesonislesFS @Offside_Tavern @Section_329 @IslesGirl3 @islesfanrico @gothambatman14 pic.twitter.com/8mzvxzaDw9
— Kevin Maher (@KMaherNews12) February 26, 2019
Tailgating
Burned jerseys
Another John Tavares jersey goes up in flames. #Isles #Islanders #NHL @FiOS1News_LI pic.twitter.com/mANEht1eHu
— Justin Walters (@JustinWaltersTV) February 28, 2019
Yep. pic.twitter.com/UjpT7Su9RJ
— Ted Starkey (@TedStarkey) February 28, 2019
Running over jerseys
This John Tavares jersey was duct taped to the Coliseum parking lot floor for cars to run over. #NHL #Isles #Islanders pic.twitter.com/1Z6cwplNo5
— Justin Walters (@JustinWaltersTV) February 28, 2019
Just checking in on #Isles fans ahead of Tavares' return tonight… 😳 pic.twitter.com/yQa7yPm2at
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 28, 2019
Looks like people have put their Tavares jerseys in the parking lot to get run over pic.twitter.com/10BxJxOBEr
— jenny berman (@barzalline) February 28, 2019
One group of fans is asking passersby to spit and or step on a pair of Tavares #Isles jerseys. pic.twitter.com/yBCogB3KqT
— Newsday Sports (@NewsdaySports) February 28, 2019
Signs
A couple of the tamer signs on display at the old Barn tonight. I decided against sharing the one of the Tavares jersey in a urinal. #Isles pic.twitter.com/hPTCrg5UVI
— Sam Kille (@samkille) March 1, 2019
Warmups
Tavares takes the ice
John Tavares and the #Leafs hit the ice for warmups #Isles pic.twitter.com/rivzFG2fBl
— Christian Arnold (@C_Arnold01) February 28, 2019
Asshole chants
Welcome back to Long Island. pic.twitter.com/Vxisn9jwPK
— Ted Starkey (@TedStarkey) February 28, 2019
#FEBRUARY28 #TORvsNYI
A "not so nice" welcome for John Tavares as he hits the ice for warmups. pic.twitter.com/i74V7UQ5CO— John Smith (@NJviDs) February 28, 2019
Throwing Snakes
The Islanders fans welcomed John Tavares back by throwing plastic snakes and a jersey at him 😬 pic.twitter.com/8mUWCbHWv1
— Gino Hard (@Ginohard_) March 1, 2019
Throwing jersey
Needless to say, @NYIslanders' fans are not pleased to see John Tavares. pic.twitter.com/cmQTexdX1b
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) February 28, 2019
More signs
The Islanders and their fans ensured that John Tavares's return was an unhappy one, routing the Maple Leafs 6-1 https://t.co/ftzNrAFYNQ pic.twitter.com/xTocx4QdQf
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 1, 2019
The chants John Tavares heard from the Islanders faithful https://t.co/JnxaiGG4pE pic.twitter.com/Q9DirOZjvt
— New York Post (@nypost) March 1, 2019
Jersey tributes
Yeah, it's going to be a hell of a night at Nassau #Tavares @NYIslanders @MapleLeafs pic.twitter.com/Cu8KoaNtAe
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) February 28, 2019
This is going to be an interesting night. pic.twitter.com/H4WhiER2sO
— Ted Starkey (@TedStarkey) February 28, 2019
Tavares jersey remake: Winner! pic.twitter.com/PXhqhgJNec
— Kevin Maher (@KMaherNews12) February 28, 2019
Must See: Fans mercilessly boo Tavares in return to Long Island. WATCH: https://t.co/0bf2kYBkUh pic.twitter.com/vUF8iLXkML
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 1, 2019
#Islanders fans shower boos on former captain John Tavares all night, and the team enjoys a 6-1 thumping of the #MapleLeafs. Casey Cizikas scores twice while Tavares has five shots on goal and is held off the scoresheet. #NHL https://t.co/17Z8iVUWz1 pic.twitter.com/x4GIEq5i9V
— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) March 1, 2019
The Actual Game
Chants
Here is a list via ESPN (and some video) of all of the chants Islanders fans hurled towards Tavares.
“We don’t need you.”
“Asshole”
First chant of the night for Tavares is anatomical (parental warning). Followed by, “We don’t need him.” #Isles pic.twitter.com/ribZ0H6ONz
— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) February 28, 2019
“JT sucks.”
“You’re a liar.”
“That’s our captain.”
“Barzy’s better.” (A reference to Islanders star Mathew Barzal)
“You can’t beat us.”
“Who’s your daddy?”
“It’s your bedtime.”
“Where’s your jammies?”
“Thanks for leaving.”
Booing the video tribute
The full Tavares video. #Isles pic.twitter.com/p4N0LbtKcg
— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) March 1, 2019
The Islanders did a video tribute for Tavares… loud boos from the crowd during the video… #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/zeeSSRIx4R
— Leafs Fans United (@LeafsFansUnited) March 1, 2019
Postgame
Fan yells ‘you suck’ during interview
The Maple Leafs lost 6-1. Tavares commented on the cold reception he received after the game. An Islanders fan yelled, “John, you suck!”
“I expected it was coming. No one’s walked in my shoes,” Tavares said. “I know that and I just tried to be open and honest. Obviously, no one has to like my decision, but I just tried to explain what it is and how I got to that point. It is what it is. I made my decision, moved forward, and I’m just going to try and go out there and play.”
What a night. Sleep well, pajamaboy.
Not everyday you can live a childhood dream pic.twitter.com/YUTKdfMALl
— John Tavares (@91Tavares) July 1, 2018
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