Sheldon Keefe calls out Islanders fans for hostility toward John Tavares

The Toronto Maple Leafs are rolling into Long Island tonight to take on the suddenly red-hot New York Islanders, who happen to be the former team of captain John Tavares. 

As you may remember, it was a bitter divorce between the two sides, as Islanders fans felt betrayed by their former captain who had made it clear he had no intention of leaving New York, and even made sure that the team wasn't able to trade him at the 2018 NHL Trade Deadline. His signing with the Leafs later that summer ignited fury in the Islanders fan base, and they let him know their thoughts upon his return in a Toronto sweater in early 2019 with non-stop booing and brutal chanting against him. 

For head coach Sheldon Keefe, he was sure to give a few jabs to the Islanders fan base for still being upset at Tavares for leaving them, essentially saying that he still lives in their heads rent free. 

"I am constantly reminded when we come here of how much he means to the people here," Keefe said. "They make it very clear the fact that it is still top of mind for them.

"Any time you spend a significant amount of time here knowing someone like John as well as I believe I do now, you see how entrenched he becomes in an organization and community as we have come to know in Toronto. It is no different here."

"To that end, with his history, every time he comes back, I am sure it is special. I think the fans make it known he is disappointed he is no longer with them. To me, I look at it as nothing more than a credit to the player and what he meant to the organization"

"John has moved on, the organization has moved on, and all of that kind of stuff. He’ll be ready to play a good game tonight against a team that is playing very well."

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