10 days in, Tavares has delivered as billed

by Dominik on Oct 13, 2009 12:57 PM EDT in Islanders in Diapers Comment 24 comments

More photos » Stephen Chernin - AP

More of this, please. For many years.

His face already shows the nicks of NHL battles. His minutes started high and stayed there. His passing vision made a seamless jump to the NHL. He's played 1st-line center and taken important faceoffs. And he's put up points, leading the Islanders in scoring. Ten days and four games after his NHL career officially began, John Tavares has delivered as billed.

No one (realistically) expected him to set the world on fire right away. Many of us wondered if he would -- or should -- start at left wing to ease his transition. No one knew how he'd fare taking NHL faceoffs. His most-cited "weakness," his skating, has not kept him from responsibly getting back and patrolling his own zone. (In truth he, Kyle Okposo and Matt Moulson have naturally spent a lot of time keeping the puck in the other team's zone.)

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	TOI	PPtoi	FO%	SOG	Sh%
2009-10 - John Tavares	4	2	3	5	1	0	1	21:26	5:33	44.9	11	18.2

You don't make a career out of four games, but in his first weeks in the NHL Tavares has at least put to rest any repressed fears that the worst pre-draft language about him would come to pass. We've already shot through Phase I ("He can play here, right?"). Even if all the Islanders bought was a guy who can snipe confidently like his postage-stamp goal over Tuukka Rask, then they'd have something special. But thankfully they got more than that.

He's been appreciative of this opportunity and the helping hand from veteran Doug Weight. He's been level-headed throughout. He's answered the media scrum after every game, part of the package for each year's #1 hype.

I want him to be more assertive on the powerplay, but teams appear to be cheating to his side, trying to keep him in the corner -- and the Islanders powerplay has hardly suffered as a result. I want him to be dominant on faceoffs -- but he's 19, playing against skilled, savvy veterans. I want him to be entertaining in interviews -- but being a focal point since he's 14, having to answer the same questions at every stop, I'm just happy he's taken it all in stride as part of the job.

Here he is post-game, after the 2-1 loss to the Kings yesterday, being philosophical about what the Islanders need to do and why he believes they can do it:

Albeezle asked in yesterday's recap: What was everyone expecting?

I'm not sure what I expected -- other than to be guarded in my expectations early on. But I'm pleasantly surprised that he and 21-year-old Okposo hit the ground running this season, quickly establishing themselves as the two most dangerous Islanders night in and night out.

Now, the Isles need a win. Tavares -- and Okposo, and the unsung Moulson -- will have their ruts and funks that leave us wondering what's wrong. Team-wise, there is much to work on, and roster-wise the team needs a little of everything. But on the matter of selecting one John Tavares, Franchise Savior and Immediate Jolt, #1 overall last June? I'm quite pleased. And you?

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I don’t know if I should be startled, happy or just plain saddened to see the difference between some of the AHL players on the Isles as compared to KO, JT and I believe Bailey. It is truely remarkable. Is it too much to ask to see a game where everyone gives 100% for 3 periods rather than just the young guns? I didn’t expect that we would finish very high this year but it looks like the injury plagued team from last year had more bite to it than this team. Perhaps they are trying to prevent all the injuries from last year. However it really isn’t fair to let the young guns carry the team while the vets wait for the trade deadline to approach.

When the coach tells the press that the team was lazy I take that as a bad sign. However, when he shows the press how they were lazy and unorganized…that really can’t be good.

As for Tavares…bravo. It is nice to see that there is a change on the horizon with or without the Lighthouse Project.

by metalcoconut on Oct 13, 2009 1:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

One of the interesting things about this year will be how those young guys hold up under the heavy workload — and how the remaining vets stomach their role (win or loss). I’m kind of surprised Gordon is using Tavares so much, so early … but I guess he’s never been reluctant to run youngsters out there and see what they got.

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Oct 13, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the “lazy” comment was a warning: if you wanna stay, you gotta play 60 minutes. We also need to work on building a credible second line around Josh.

by BCISLEMAN on Oct 13, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with BCISLEMAN, the lazy comment by Gordon IS a warning. ‘If you can’t give me 60 minutes, you’re GONE’. These guys better take it to heart or we will see an entirely new 2nd, 3rd, and 4th lines.

by who04 on Oct 13, 2009 3:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Welcome

Thanks for joining!

Yeah, Botta had a cryptic comment today about Gordon admitting the contract situation makes it hard to send anyone down in a shakeup. It’s not like teams are circling waiting to pluck Islanders waiver refuse, though. And it will only get harder when Nielsen/Hunter are back.

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Oct 13, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can’t we send them down if they clear waivers?

by BCISLEMAN on Oct 13, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like what I see from Tavares thus far

but I don’t think that means he has a road paved with gold to NHL superstardom just yet. There is a ways to go for this guy as they try to improve other aspects of his game.

Defensivly he’s been good and better than advertised.

Offensivly he’s been amazing.

I think we need to keep in mind that he is still very raw and playing with “youthful energy” right now. The real work on this guy has yet to begin. Wait till they ask him to bulk up a bit and see how he adjusts.

Thus far very encouraging.

by Chickendirt on Oct 13, 2009 5:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Faceoffs

I can’t remember who said it, but someone said that once you get around the league once, you start to know who your facing in the circle, like batters in baseball. Considering he’s already managing a 44% and the Islanders as a team were at 45%, that’s promising.

Plus for a team that was offensively inept last year (Only the Avs with 8 less goals for were worse) 5 points in 4 games is great. Maybe we can even talk about a 20 goal scorer finally.

by WebBard on Oct 13, 2009 5:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I figured it out. If we extrapolate, he has 41 goals and 102-103 total points based on his current 4-2-3-5 over 82 games.

by BCISLEMAN on Oct 13, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I must say that Schremp has impressed me thus far this season far more than Bailey, who looks pretty bad out there right now.

by AP77 on Oct 13, 2009 5:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bailey is a playmaker and he has no one to dish to.

by BCISLEMAN on Oct 13, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Schremp is looking good

The kid is looking like he belongs. That first goal is coming soon. He will be a gem in the shootouts this year. He is finishing his checks, and backchecking pretty well.
The coach needs to keep challenging him to reach his potential. Being in a locker room everyday with Doug Weight, John Tavares, Mark Streit and Kyle Okposo cannot hurt. I do not think you can compare the Isles to the Leafs. The Isles are giving the effort, and not getting the results yet. The Leafs are just plain lazy at this point, and will keep getting shelled. The Isles core of young guys has the potential to develop into something special. Death to the FLYERS!

by # 21 on Oct 13, 2009 10:24 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Death to the FLYERS!

Rec’d just for that alone.

Schremp has certainly gotten off on the right foot. He’s earning himself longer looks.

Regarding the Leafs, it’s funny: Last year I thought they were definitely behind us in the rebuild cycle because they hadn’t hit bottom yet, BUT their resources gave them a chance to leapfrog the Isles in that process (with college free agents, UFAs, pouring $$ into scouting, etc.). But their offseason moves — getting several guys who are not featured guys (Komisarek, Beauchemin, Exelby) kind of surprised me. It’s an instant upgrade in depth (or is it?), but not the choice of long-term investments I would’ve made. That said, they got money, they can throw it around to erase mistakes. We’ve got to stick to the long hard way.

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Oct 13, 2009 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, the Leafs and the Rangers are alike in having unlimited resources and fans pressuring them to win now…and so they never do. Del Zotto’s a perfect example. He probably should spend another 1-2 years developing. But Sather has no competent PP QB (notwithstanding Redden and his magic contract) and so he brings Del Zotto up 1-2 years early.

by BCISLEMAN on Oct 14, 2009 2:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Prediction

The Islanders will make the playoffs before the Leafs will, though neither will make it this year. Burke is no miracle worker, he inherited a pretty good team in Anaheim. I’m also going to tell you guys about a possible future 2010 Islanders Draft pick you should keep your eyes on. USA NTDP Under-18 Defenseman Jon Merrill, Brighton Michigan, committed to University of Michigan. This kid is in the mold of Jack and Eric Johnson, something the Islanders could really use. Can’t wait to see him play next week at Cornell.
One again DEATH TO THE FLYERS.

by # 21 on Oct 14, 2009 7:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We could use defenders—whether obtained by trade, draft, or FA—who are bigger and more physical. I think, however, that our first round pick will be a top forward—Hall, Kabanov, or Pulkinnen.

by BCISLEMAN on Oct 14, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cool. Feel free to do a post on your impressions of the Cornell game. FanPosts don’t have to be all Isles-centric, and I know we have some college junkies and even Cornell fans in our midst.

I think Burke is strong yet no god — he inherited a good Ducks team but also made some astute moves to get them over the top — but he also believes his own press. The truculence thing is amazing, when you break it down: His Cup-winning team happened to have some fighters and dirty players (one of whom happens to be a world-class defenseman), and suddenly people said fighting is the route to the Cup. Two years later…

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Oct 14, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Real deal

Tavares is the real deal, he looks at ease especially his 2nd goal. I don’t think he has the speed of Crosby but like Bob MacKenzie said inside the offensive blue line he has the vision and instinct.

by bcw420 on Oct 15, 2009 4:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes. He’s not going to have the breakaway, zone-to-zone dynamics that Crosby or Ovechkin has, but he’s a sniper and confident puck-handler. That 2nd goal was an awesome sign.

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Oct 16, 2009 2:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yet some poster on Newsday is hanging Garth out to dry because we don’t have a “power” center. Some people just want to complain.

by BCISLEMAN on Oct 16, 2009 2:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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New York Islanders Roster

	#	Pos.	DOB	W	H
Josh Bailey	12	C	10/2/1989	188	6-1
Sean Bergenheim	20	LW	2/8/1984	205	5-10
Martin Biron	43	G	8/15/1977	180	6-3
Blake Comeau	57	RW	2/18/1986	207	6-1
Bruno Gervais	8	D	10/3/1984	205	6-1
Trevor Gillies	14	LW	1/30/1979	215	6-3
Jack Hillen	38	D	1/24/1986	200	5-11
Trent Hunter	7	RW	7/5/1980	210	6-3
Tim Jackman	28	RW	11/14/1981	210	6-4
Dustin Kohn	56	D	2/2/1987	200	6-2
Andrew MacDonald	47	D	9/7/1986	188	6-1
Matt Martin	46	LW	3/8/1989	192	6-2
Freddy Meyer	44	D	1/4/1981	192	5-10
Matt Moulson	26	LW	11/1/1983	206	6-1
Frans Nielsen	51	C	4/24/1984	172	5-11
Kyle Okposo	21	RW	4/16/1988	200	6-1
Richard Park	10	RW	5/27/1976	190	5-11
Dylan Reese	42	D	8/29/1984	195	6-0
Dwayne Roloson	30	G	10/12/1969	180	6-1
Jon Sim	16	LW	9/29/1977	195	5-10
Mark Streit	2	D	12/11/1977	197	6-0
Jeff Tambellini	15	LW	4/13/1984	186	5-11
John Tavares	91	C	9/20/1990	195	6-0

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