Quoting: zibby805
I don't care what an article says, no way Lou would let JT walk and get nothing back if he can get a 1st/2nd line center and winger back. Sign and trade makes perfect sense even if its not with tampa because then JT saves face by taking care of NY because then they are still getting good players for him and NY needs a name to sell tickets.
Let me be clear: I agree with you about the logic of a sign and trade. Yes, without a doubt a sign-and-trade would be by far the best option for the Islanders from a team and operational standpoint if they are positive that he is not re-signing. That being said, there is a LOT that goes into a sign-and-trade that is irrelevant to it making sense to help the team out as much as possible.
1. The fans. A lot of fans are...not all that bright. Specifically, a lot of die-hard fans, casual fans and fans that are new and a team is trying to attract. They won't always understand the in-depth thought that goes into a sign and trade. If NY signs Tavares and then immediately flips him, they risk alienating all of these fans who see it as "trading away the franchise's best player". Is the team willing to deal with this backlash, especially given their current relationship with the fans (see: Barclay's Center)?
2. JT doesn't necessarily "save face" with NY with a sign and trade. In a sense, a sign and trade is essentially him refusing to sign and play with the Islanders. How is him saying "thanks, but no thanks" going to make him look good to the fans? I don't think there are many fans out there that are going to appreciate him essentially saying "nah, I'm good, I'll go elsewhere", and there aren't any fans out there that would rather have the assets that NYI would get for JT in a sign and trade than JT himself.
3. There's an argument to be made that the assets NYI would receive in a sign and trade really wouldn't be all that super significant. Think about it. Is JT going to sign a contract without some sort of NMC/NTC? Not a chance. Thus, (unless I'm misunderstanding something about contracts or the CBA) he's going to have to waive that clause to go to whatever team is involved in the sign and trade. If he's willing to waive the clause to go there, aside from potentially an 8th year on the contract, why wouldn't he just sign there as a UFA? And, if that's the case, why would a team that could theoretically just sign him as a UFA give up significant assets to do a sign and trade for him? And why would JT want to go to a team that has just given up significant assets in order to sign him if he wants to win?
4. This is the NHL. GMs don't always do the thing that makes the most sense in the public eye. Whether it's offer sheets, sign-and-trade deals, etc. The overwhelming majority of decisions that GMs make are very traditional in nature. Blockbusters rarely happen (unless your name rhymes with Park Lergevin and you're willing to get ripped off). When's the last time you can remember a sign and trade deal happening? Or even a transaction in any sense that was really out of the ordinary? They just don't happen very often. And they happen even less often when big name players are involved. Just because it makes sense to us doesn't mean it's likely.