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New York Islanders: 3 Reasons to be Optimistic About 2017-18 Season

By Nick Ziegler

Mar 2, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Islanders interim head coach Doug Weight watches his team take on the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Islanders defeat the Stars 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Islanders interim head coach Doug Weight watches his team take on the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Islanders defeat the Stars 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Islanders
Mar 24, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) takes the ice for warm-ups against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Still have Tavares

With all of the uncertainty about where the Islanders will be playing in the near future, and the team breaking up their core, people have questioned about whether or not John Tavares will be with the Islanders long-term.

While his plans for the future are uncertain, he is still on the Islanders, and he is still one of the best players in the NHL. Tavares had his season end slightly early last season, but he was still the Islanders’ leading scorer with 66 points. Tavares was second on the Islanders in both assists and goals, and he is certainly key to any success they will have in the future.

The loss of a player like Tavares would cripple the Islanders, but he won’t be going anywhere next season. As long as Tavares is on the team, the Islanders will have a chance to compete. However, the Islanders need to find the pieces to surround him to truly get the most out of him.

Tavares played well with Weight as the head coach, and they appear to have a strong relationship as former teammates. With Weight as the head coach, the Islanders certainly had some success. For the Islanders, keeping Tavares happy is priority No. 1.

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