It’s Feb. 28 at the Nassau Coliseum, the night former Islanders’ first overall pick and franchise player John Tavares returned to Long Island.

He was the team’s only player, outside of Josh Bailey, to be top-10 in career points, assists and goals after the year 2000. After nearly 20 years of misery and mismanagement, the Islanders had a player that kept the team relevant and got them their first playoff series win in 23 years.

But that night, none of that mattered. Fans called him a snake, traitor and liar. Every time he touched the puck there was a whirlwind of boos and jeers from the crowd. Later in the game, when Matt Martin laid him out, the arena exploded in cheers and applause. If you went back 10 years and told any Islanders’ fan that this would be the fate of the team’s first overall pick, no one would believe you. It was a night of triumph, revenge and one of the first statements that the new-look Islanders are a threat to take seriously.

Following two NHL semifinal appearances and one quarterfinal appearance, the Islanders have proven that they don’t need him. The team has moved on from Tavares and I think it’s about time the fanbase does the same.

Tavares no longer has any association with this club and the drama from the summer of 2018 is nearly half a decade old. When the Maple Leafs came to town the day after Clark Gillies’s passing, fans booed Tavares on a night that was meant for honoring one of the greatest players to don the blue and orange.

Personally, being an Islanders’ fan has brought me pride and excitement throughout my life. I was not proud when fans booed Tavares last month. Therefore, I believe it’s time for this fanbase to move on from Tavares. Even though the team might not make the playoffs this year, the Islanders are better off without him.

John Smark