Pre-Game Bits: I Like Tavares Because _____.

Matt Moulson should pay him a per goal commision.

Despite his great talent and his number one status in the team, he still looks kinda dorky and is surprisingly shy. He is very ambitious, but not prone to flights of fancy. He is the example every young hockey player should follow.

Am I the only one childish enough to think this sounds a bit wrong? But in all seriousness what I like the most about Tavares is his everything. Just everything on and off the ice he does.

what he symbolizes to me, which is the promise that the Islanders will one day soon be a legitimate playoff team. That’s something we haven’t had in so very, very long.

Discontent.

He is constantly pushing himself to improve and get better. Playing well isnt good enough for him, he wants to be great. I absolutely love it.

The stick handlers have amazed me since I was a kid. As we have watched his confidence build, he has gotten very crafty with his moves and showcasing his abilities to make the heads of the opposing teams spin. Now that it seems like he is out of that slump, there should be some pretty worried d-men and goaltenders around the league. What I look forward to most is watching him perfect that aspect of his trade

is his Flow, Yup that’s right I said it, his flow is awesome

I see a little bit of Mike Bossy and a whole lot of Bryan Trottier in there.

NHL Realignment has been delayed. The Player’s Union failed to ratify it. Looks like its gonna be more of the same ol’ next season.

I like to use locker #‘s of isles players when I go to the gym, today was #91, unfortunately that locker had a broken bottom hinge… Had to go with grabs#40 instead, but now i’m worried for JT tonight …
What I like most about JT? Oh for sure it’s his interview savvy

does the cap floor/ceiling system make it easier to consider a day in the future when the draft is abolished?

players should have that freedom, much as any other worker, really

is how ruthless his skill is. Just… Ruthless

his maturity. He really carries himself well for a young guy who has the weight of a storied franchise squarely on his shoulders.

Last game, my wife finally got to watch for a few minutes, and when they showed a closeup of JT on the bench, she asked who that was. Now she knew what JT looked like from last year and before, but when I told her (in a tone that was very likely to have me sleeping on the sofa) that it was JT, she couldn’t believe it. It took her a second, but then she said ‘he actually looks like a man now, and not a little kid.’

Its nice to finally have a player on the Isles who can take dictate the tempo and style of the game. I haven’t seen a player do that since Ziggy and before that Turgeon and before that Lafontaine, and before that well it was a long time ago.

is he is a Top athlete in NY and soon to be the 1st Islander superstar in forfuckingever.(now if his help can grow up and help him before his contract runs out)

I think that his ability to see (and feel) the game around him has grown tremendously.

It’s like he has acquired the ability to play the game like he is watching from it above..if that makes sense to you folks…

His dedication to both the Islanders and also to constantly working to improve his game. JT is a player who wants to be an Islander for the long haul. He’s also doing whatever he can to become a more complete player.

He can stick handle his way out of a phone booth then into a volkswagon beetle with 4 passengers and still put the puck on Matty’s stick.

I enjoy seeing his frustration only because I know that it gets directly translated to work on the ice…and he’s going to learn from the mistakes and continue taking huge steps forward. Tavares is an absolutely dominant player. We’re lucky to have him.

Is he’s going to get the game winner and give me my over bet, 4-3 isles tonight baby

these JT comments should be green!

His name is Johnny T
He puts pucks behind goalies
Loves eating strombolis
And hanging with his homies

He’s got elite hockey skills
Can move the puck at will
It can give you chills or thrills
And it also pays the bills

He can make invisble passes
That amaze the masses
And make people search for their glasses

That’s why his name is Johnny T
If there’s a lock he’s the key
If he scores a hatty that’s 3
He will become all he can be
Just watch and you’ll see

of his vision (just like Dom). Actually, two years ago, when JT made an appearance at the NHL Store in Manhattan, I stepped out of work for about an hour, stood in line for his autograph and told him: “Your vision is simply unreal.” (He was very polite and thanked me sincerely.) What I find so amazing is that, as he grows and gains confidence, his vision appears to grow as well. What a spectacular player. I feel very lucky to be able to watch him as he develops.