“He had every right to make the decision that he did to go and to go to free agency, and I respect that. Let’s put it this way: I hope it’s rethought. I hope it’s the respect he should be getting. I do understand the passion that the fans have… We’re talking about a quality human being who served his years here extremely well, and I hope that’s taken into consideration.”

-Lou Lamoriello, GM of the New York Islanders on John Tavares. More from Laura Albanese of Newsday, Tavares and the Leafs play on Long Island on Thursday.