[cjdv16]

I don't want to be an extremist and I also don't have the time to write an entire soliliqy or novel to support the title of this thread, but what I saw the other night against Carolina was more disturbing to me than anything I've seen to date during this continual Islanders 2 decade long slide.....

To watch Travis Hamonic break and throw his stick is one thing. We've probably seen this a few dozen times over the years from varying players. This is certainly one common way of expression.

However, what I saw from John Tavares scared the living **** out of me.

That was pure, unaadulturated dejection on a young kid's face and body language. Think about it. This kid is as professional as they come. He's very even keel. The kind of guy whose hand never quivers and approach never changes regardless of the environment around him.

Not only was what I saw not an act nor was it a dramatic try for the camera, it was something that I never expected to see from JT. There have been far worse losses and I believe more trying times that this team and JT have likely been through already.

That look again was pure dejection and what appeared to me as an open question of "what more can I do?" and statement of "I'm at a complete loss".

My fear is that when most people have reached that point, if changes are not emininent, the next phase begins apathy.

I'm praying Garth Snow is a smart enough guy to have seen and read into what he saw in JT sitting on that bench. It was pretty obvious to me that Howie Rose (through his sheer surprise and comments that treaded very lightly but that had an underlying dire tone) saw it. Butch, I think it went right over his head.

You've got a kid in his very early 20's who bears the weight of this franchise on his shoulders. He needs some serious support before this team and organization starts to impact this kid negatively. There are maybe 4 or 5 young players in this league that I believe can bear the weight of this nature.

It's now Snow's job to remedy this -- and fast -- before he destroys this crown jewel. If that means deviating course a bit and making more aggressive move to expedite this growth process, he's got to do it.

It's pretty clear to me that if this season ends up similar to any of the past 5 or 6, we're staring at a defining moment that I personally will lead to JT wanting to jump ship.

Again, I don't think I'm being an extremist here. I hope Snow sees it similarly.

I'm curious if other folks see it similarly or should I just chill?