Bits & Some speculation on the future of John Tavares

But realistically, Winnipeg is still in bad condition and had no signs at the time that the team was trending toward good.

Perhaps Kovi knew what the system looked like and was evaluating the moves that the front office was making.

I think in comparing Winnipeg/Atlanta systems to the Isles, there is much more promise here than there.

They aren’t making ridiculous trades, they are restocking a prospect system that had nothing, and signing players to cap friendly long term deals.

If that trend reverses, I’ll agree with you. But if the team makes the playoffs this year, that’s progress, and I presume even more development and stability.

Time will tell, but I think wins and losses will determine more than location. Do you think I this team cracks 90 pts that playing in Kansas City in five years will factor in to a Tavares decision? I personally don’t. (Admittedly though, I don’t know what’s in his mind).

it’s fair to say if the Isles stay at the floor JT may want to move on. There isn’t much commitment to winning staying at the floor.

Additionally, with some of the contracts that will come due (notably JT himself and Frans) the Islanders would have to work hard to stay that low. Adding in Nino, de Haan, etc. would also keep it going up.

But if they go out and replace the expiring Rolston, Eaton, and Jurcina deals with a bunch of league minimum deals, I don’t think it would be crazy for JT to take that as a sign that the Isles might not be the best choice.

Again, I don’t think it will go down that way (or maybe I should say I really hope it doesn’t), but asking the question, “More importantly if always at cap floor, even if #isles wanted to wrap JT longterm, why would he???” doesn’t seem crazy at all.

You can’t even attempt to re-sign a player already under contract until mid-way through their final season under contract.

there could be plenty of reasons as to why Tavares hasn’t resigned

How about that ELC players CANT re-sign any earlier? I dont believe JT was even allowed to re-sign.

But I can’t remember where I hear it though. But for now, with the Isles talent looking better than ever, I wouldn’t worry. Perhaps this will be the playoff year we have been waiting for. Besides, that would mean he would have to leave Might Matt Moulson behind.

How many scorers/great passers are there with his vision and hockey sense? Tavares cannot be replaced by just any other high ranking draft pick. I can’t see us drafting another Tavares in any draft in the next decade. He isn’t everything, but he is something.

Guys like JT get protected from such things.

Just think, a strong playmaker for JT. That sounds wonderful. But we could use a third line center if Bailey keeps playing at his current level and doesn’t progress. A 1-2-3 punch would be nice.

The biggest difference between the two is that Tavares is a proven NHL player, Strome is still a prospect. You absolutely never count your chickens before they hatch, so to speak. From what I’ve read and little bit ive seen from Strome their skill-sets are pretty similar, but JT had much better numbers in Juniors and notably at a younger age. That’s important. Also- having two “#1 centers” is a good thing, not a problem. Teams strong at center typically do really well. Also, I like ten idea of the two maybe playing together, either permanently or situationally.

I’m not optimistic he will break out this year, but I am hoping. Not sure wher he will fit in to the team plans if he doesn’t, although I think in part it depends if Strome moves to wing. I kind of doubt that will happen, the team was (rightfully) firm about keeping JT at center and don’t seem to like moving anyone off there natural position. I would love to see Strome and Jt pay together, and I think we will on the power play and maybe situationally here and there, but with so many good wingers both in the system and on the team I think it would be prudent to build lines around JT, Strome and Nielsen .

He regressed a good bit last year and if the Isles re-sign Nielsen (I think they will really try to do so), then with Strome and Reasoner there’s no spot for a final center.

I saw him play during the Blue & White Scrimmage, and to be honest, he was one of the players who I felt stood out the most. He’s a player that I think the Isles should keep tabs on and consider signing when he’s ready to leave college and play in the pros.

At best you get some mass transit, but it’s on the Ronkonkoma line quite far away and it’s a mess for anyone by car. You’re replacing one headache with another, and there’s no reason why you’d attract any non-Islander business.

There is no other explanation for the way he is talking/typing/etc

What?

99% of them aren’t implemented. That one most certainly won’t be.

Watch his goals, most of the time he causes the defenseman to screw up and then outraces everyone up the rink.

big wing=nino
that big d-man could…not saying will…be Wishart

Basically equivalent to letting Tavares go as soon as possible. Why would they ever do that?

Drew MacIntyre (drafted in 2001) and Brent Krahn (drafted in 2000) were also on the goalie prospect list. Listing 150 goalie prospects may be a bit much, although I didn’t see Cody Rosen on that list.

The money and length of deal will be, to an extent, up to Tavares. Being around the cap floor at this time is actually to the Islanders’ advantage, because it will give the team more money to work with when they sign players like JT to new deals. I don’t expect the Isles to be a cap floor team beyond the 2011-12 season.

The team will start winning consistently this season. That is the best inspiration for JT & his teammates to stick together. I’m thinking playoffs.

Toronto will make an offer to JT
Why wouldn’t they

Because if a new contract isnt already signed then the Isles will protect him from it the same kind of way Stamkos and Parise were protected from it.

Toronto just finished giving away all of their first round picks for Phil Kessel. As much as Toronto covets Tavares, you think Burke would be willing to further ruin the prospect pool by signing Tavares to an offer sheet? I just can’t see it happening on Tavares’ second contract. His third, depending on whether he’s an RFA or a UFA, maybe then they’ll reach out and try to sign Tavares, but next year? I can’t see it happening.

Everyone should click the Jersey Chat, freakin hysterical, lots of crazy-ass designs, and god-awful ones too. First jersey you see is vintage fisherman, spoken about in a positive light, but more than halfway down there is a sketch of a Brooklyn Islander jersey, with resulting hipster jokes and a link to this song. LMAO!

DGB link takes me back to that awesome ‘93 Kings-Leafs series, and how awesome Gilmour and Clark were. I miss that season so much…Selanne’s/Mogilny’s 76 goals…Turgeon and Kaspy…Adam Oates, Stevie Y in his prime, JR and the Eagle leading the Hawks…the ridiculous talent of the Nordiques…I could go on and on (that year was my hockey honeymoon).

It’s nice to see 3 Isles goalies in the top 20 prospects. The goaltending WILL improve this year, I swear!

Lastly, the East also-rans article has a good writeup on the Isles, but doesn’t even mention Grabs?? Maybe they meant Grabs when they wrote Nielsen, maybe they didn’t…