It was bound to happen. Fans of the New York Islanders are already turning
their backs on their former captain - criticizing him for leaving and heading
home to Toronto to play for the his childhood Maple Leafs. Granted it's not all
 Islanders' fans, just a select few within their following who've decided to
direct their ever-fuelling frustrations in the direction of the 27-year-old
center.

While it's a trend that has been passed down from generation to generation -
for fans to resent stars who leave during free agency - it has become more and
more out of control over the years and with the addition of social media. From
the online rants of fans on Twitter or Instagram to the burning of jerseys with
 the names of departing players on their backs, it's a trend that doesn't seem
to have any light at the end of its tunnel.John Tavares took a lot of heat
following his decision to join the Toronto Maple Leafs. (James Guillory-USA
TODAY Sports)

Still, there are those who've exhausted their frustrations in John Tavares'
decision to leave the Islanders following a nine-year stint with the
organization by calling out the forward on social media.Reacting to Tavares
Watch

While some were just happy to see a decision made, others we thankful for what
Tavares gave to the organization over his tenure with the team.

Still, some have blamed him for sending the Islanders back to the basement of
the NHL - without having played a game in the 2018-19 season. Meanwhile others
have resorted to calling him a fraud and scolding him for leaving a franchise
and fanbase that has praised him for so long.

Regardless, the world of social media can be a cruel one. Emotions and
frustrations vocalized in mere seconds before hitting the ΓÇÿsend' or ΓÇÿpost'
buttons. But Tavares has had a former teammate at his defence since the
decision that led to these mob-like reactions - a defence in the form of Calvin
 de Haan.

The fact is, after playing nine seasons with the Islanders, Tavares earned the
opportunity to make his own decision in a year where he became an unrestricted
free agent. And as was written in The Players' Tribune, it came down to
following a dream - one that led him to Toronto and the Maple Leafs.Fans
Wrongful Frustrations

Obviously it's tough to see a star player move on from your favourite
franchise. After all, we all have those false hopes that they'll start and
finish their respective careers with one franchise. So the frustration on the
part of the Islanders' faithful is understandable. But what if it's being
directed in the wrong direction.Lou Lamoriello left the Maple Leafs to join the
 Islanders as their general manager. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty
Images)

This offseason, the team made a managerial and coaching overhaul. Lou
Lamoriello came into the front office and he brought in Stanley Cup winning
coach Barry Trotz. With that, Garth Snow and Doug Weight were both ousted, and
it seemed like just moments later that Tavares decided to leave as well.

But the team hasn't been a legitimate contender in years. Since Tavares joined
the team in 2009-10, the team has been to the playoffs on just three occasions
- with no postseason action since 2015-16. On top of that, they haven't made it
 past the second round and are looking to extend both of those streaks this
coming season.

But how much of that should be put on the organization deficiencies? Should the
 frustrations of the Islanders' faithful be placed on the organization itself,
rather than on a star looking for a chance to play playoff hockey?

Forget the suffocating contracts signed prior to Tavares tenure - you know the
Alexei Yashin deal or the one that sees the Islanders paying Rick DiPietro $1.5
 million through the 2028-29 season. But during Tavares' tenure, the team
didn't exactly build around their star center.

Rather, every time he found chemistry with someone it was almost like they were
 shipped out of town or not brought back the following season. Matt Moulson.
Kyle Okposo. Ryan Strome. The list goes on. In fact over the past nine seasons
he's played 50-plus minutes on 28 different line combinations, according to
Corsica Hockey.

Consistency was lacking. Goaltending was lacking. How can a player carry a
franchise that wasn't willing to build around him. It's frustrating for a
fanbase to see their star player leave - sure. But it's just as frustrating to
watch a team struggle year after year - which the Islanders have done - with no
 clear end to the tunnel.Mathew Barzal will be looked upon as a leader for this
 team moving forward. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

That said, with Tavares leaving, the Islanders seem to be heading down a
different road. A new star has already shown what he can do as Mathew Barzal
looks to shoulder the weight that once rode the back of the, now, Maple Leafs'
forward and the future looks bright.

Names like Michael Dal Colle, Josh Ho-Sang, Oliver Wahlstrom, Jacob Pivonka,
Devon Toews and Kieffer Bellows litter their system with talent while Anders
Lee, Josh Bailey and Barzal will look to keep the team afloat in the meantime.

Regardless, it may be time to temper the Tavares hate and look forward to what
should be some exciting times for the New York Islanders. As Tavares said in
The Players' Tribune, the future is bright.Tape2Tape - a weekly column -
brought to you by The Hockey Writers. (Logo by Amy MacKenzie)

Have thoughts about the column? Let me know on Twitter at @AndrewGForbes or
@Tape2TapeTHW.

Tape2Tape is a column looking at some of the biggest stories from around the
world of hockey. Discussing different topics, it focuses on delivering some
opinion to hockey';s biggest fans. Whether you agree or disagree, we would love
 to hear your thoughts.

The post Should Islanders'; Fans Temper Tavares Frustrations? appeared first on
 The Hockey Writers.

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