For Tavares, being named to the All-Star Game was an affirmation of what the hockey world has come to know. "He's a top player in the league. That's why he's going to the All-Star Game," said Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf, a fellow All-Star.
"Johnny is a great player. I played with him at the Worlds last year," Phaneuf said at Nassau Coliseum on Tuesday, recalling the world championships. "I'm always matched up against him, so I see a lot of him when I'm playing against him and I know how skilled he is from playing with him. He has really, really come into his own this year. I think he has stepped up his game to another level. He has got another extra step of speed that's very noticeable."
John Tavares and the New York Islanders were meant to be. For so long we needed this kind of player and our team situation was something it seems like he wanted. The fact that he recognized the resposibility that comes with being a first overall pick knowing he is going to a team that needs help and wanted that challenge and didnt pull a 'Lindros' like the Toronto media seemed to think he would shows the kind of person he is. Add to that he says he is being treated great he has no reason to be unhappy.
All the UFA's that didnt want to come here even with the potential to make the most money, the players we traded for and picked up on waivers who refused to play, players who we gave up a lot to have them help our team only to walk away after the season was over. A 21 year old 'kid' shows more class then any of those other men. Hey may never break any records or win any scoring titles but he has already shown me that players like him are just as rare as the Gretzky's and Crosby's of the game.
This article points out how he was raised which I'm sure has a lot to do with his maturity. Not only is he a great player but I cannot describe the amount of respect I have for this guy and how lucky we are to have his representation of our team.
So the Isles are 2 for 4 in getting a franchise player with the #1 overall pick.
I was too young to remember Billy Harris, but he was no Potvin or Tavares.
In all fairness to Billy Harris, he regularly scored between 20 and 30 goals a season, even in his rookie year with a horrendous team and the draft that was not that great (although the Islanders landed a very good player in the 3rd round, who went on to score the winning goal in OT and clinch the Isles 1st cup). Harris also played a big part in the Islanders winning the cup when he was traded to Los Angeles for Butch Goring.
He recovered very well after flubbing his first shot. Kid is all class, and all heart. I wonder if the Islander org can "C" that as well.
He is also very well spoken for a Canadian. (Put the guns down, I only kid). But then again he handles himself with a mic much better than I would with 5 billion people watching.
He's got the innocence and grace of Patty LaFontaine with the same skill. He's going to get much better when he has the talent but even if Snow remains GM, he will still get better and more dominant along (well, he has his Mikko Makela).
I'm most impressed, though, with his genuine good kid attitude and amazing skill. And, apparently, so is the rest of the league. Phaneuf's comments, considering what a d-bag he is, are welcome.
I can't wait for Strome. If he rounds out as a skilled but gentlemanly player anything like JT, Snow gets a bit more kudos. It might help him get another job if a Divine Creator hears our prayers.
John Tavares and the New York Islanders were meant to be. For so long we needed this kind of player and our team situation was something it seems like he wanted. The fact that he recognized the resposibility that comes with being a first overall pick knowing he is going to a team that needs help and wanted that challenge and didnt pull a 'Lindros' like the Toronto media seemed to think he would shows the kind of person he is. Add to that he says he is being treated great he has no reason to be unhappy.
All the UFA's that didnt want to come here even with the potential to make the most money, the players we traded for and picked up on waivers who refused to play, players who we gave up a lot to have them help our team only to walk away after the season was over. A 21 year old 'kid' shows more class then any of those other men. Hey may never break any records or win any scoring titles but he has already shown me that players like him are just as rare as the Gretzky's and Crosby's of the game.
This article points out how he was raised which I'm sure has a lot to do with his maturity. Not only is he a great player but I cannot describe the amount of respect I have for this guy and how lucky we are to have his representation of our team.
I remember before the 2009 draft,reading how much the isles loved Tavares' character.I'm so glad we him as the face of the franchise with no maturity issues,no character issues.
John Tavares and the New York Islanders were meant to be. For so long we needed this kind of player and our team situation was something it seems like he wanted. The fact that he recognized the resposibility that comes with being a first overall pick knowing he is going to a team that needs help and wanted that challenge and didnt pull a 'Lindros' like the Toronto media seemed to think he would shows the kind of person he is. Add to that he says he is being treated great he has no reason to be unhappy.
All the UFA's that didnt want to come here even with the potential to make the most money, the players we traded for and picked up on waivers who refused to play, players who we gave up a lot to have them help our team only to walk away after the season was over. A 21 year old 'kid' shows more class then any of those other men. Hey may never break any records or win any scoring titles but he has already shown me that players like him are just as rare as the Gretzky's and Crosby's of the game.
This article points out how he was raised which I'm sure has a lot to do with his maturity. Not only is he a great player but I cannot describe the amount of respect I have for this guy and how lucky we are to have his representation of our team.
All of the top draft picks every year know that they will be taken by bottom of the barrel team.....that is why they are lottery picks, so it is a given.
They accept that fact and only Lindros pulled a real crybaby act to force a move.
Johnny accepted the inevitable and embraced it like a man. He is a very young man, but he is a MAN, and he committed to making himself the player he wants to be, an elite all around player/scorer. His sights are set on Stanley Cup (s) and Hockey Hall of Fame admittance. Along the way, I am sure he has set goals of Hart, Ross, Conn Smyth, Richard. This is how the greats think......high goal setting followed by the hard work and sacrifice to make a run at it.
Matt Duchene is a really fine, 1st line center (or will be) with outstanding skating and all the tools to be outstanding throughout his career. No disrespect to MD, but I think only a very few players have the fire burning inside them to excell. To be able to be patient, to keep it on the inside, to work for it relentlessly marks Tavares as special among the best that there is. It will be a joy watching him.
His committment to as poorly run a franchise as NYI just shows me that his inner confidence and goal setting can not be deterred by anything, even Wang and Snows bumbling.
He's got the innocence and grace of Patty LaFontaine with the same skill. He's going to get much better when he has the talent but even if Snow remains GM, he will still get better and more dominant along (well, he has his Mikko Makela).
I'm most impressed, though, with his genuine good kid attitude and amazing skill. And, apparently, so is the rest of the league. Phaneuf's comments, considering what a d-bag he is, are welcome.
I can't wait for Strome. If he rounds out as a skilled but gentlemanly player anything like JT, Snow gets a bit more kudos. It might help him get another job if a Divine Creator hears our prayers.
All of the top draft picks every year know that they will be taken by bottom of the barrel team.....that is why they are lottery picks, so it is a given.
They accept that fact and only Lindros pulled a real crybaby act to force a move.
Johnny accepted the inevitable and embraced it like a man. He is a very young man, but he is a MAN, and he committed to making himself the player he wants to be, an elite all around player/scorer. His sights are set on Stanley Cup (s) and Hockey Hall of Fame admittance. Along the way, I am sure he has set goals of Hart, Ross, Conn Smyth, Richard. This is how the greats think......high goal setting followed by the hard work and sacrifice to make a run at it.
Matt Duchene is a really fine, 1st line center (or will be) with outstanding skating and all the tools to be outstanding throughout his career. No disrespect to MD, but I think only a very few players have the fire burning inside them to excell. To be able to be patient, to keep it on the inside, to work for it relentlessly marks Tavares as special among the best that there is. It will be a joy watching him.
His committment to as poorly run a franchise as NYI just shows me that his inner confidence and goal setting can not be deterred by anything, even Wang and Snows bumbling.
True true. I will admit that post of mine was a drunken homer rant last night. It's just overwhelming to be rewarded with a player like Tavares after what we as fans have been through. We have picked low for a while and no other prospect comes close to what he brings.
All the recent 1st overall picks are special players. But i remember an interview with Tavares, Stamkos, and someone else (can't remember who it was) were all asked at the same time if they someday hope to play for their childhood team (leafs). The other guy and Stamkos gave a generic answer along with hinting that you never know what will happen and how it would be special. When the interviewer got to JT he immediately said "No, Not anymore" or something along those lines. That is all he said. Could of been a complete lie, but he could of agreed with the other players. Either way, he is making his fans happy and that seems important to him.
Plus I remember reading a few articles before we drafted him claiming he is going to be the next player to pull a Lindros and the funny thing is he has been the complete opposite. So that is why I brought it up.
One team that could be compared to us is Pittsburgh with Crosby. Maybe Colombus and Rick Nash even though they dont have the histroy the Isles and Pens franchises do. Tampa got stamkos but they recently won a cup and ten years earlier experienced a franchise player in Lecavalier. I wouldnt consider Patrick Kane in the same category as some of these other guys but he is indeed a great player and was a key in the SC win (obviously with the winning goal). Oilers with Hall and RNH...**** them. Eric Johnson couldnt have had a Tavares like impact considering he has been traded already. Stamkos may of had a similar impact if we drafted him instead but we will never know. Ovechkin was coming from Russia, I dont think he cared too much where he played at the time he was drafted though his impact was huge. Its not about the player but about the players impact on their respective organization and how they wanted that responsibility. Tavares was the guy we needed most because we needed someone who could handle A LOT of responsibilty.
(Put the guns down, I only kid). But then again he handles himself with a mic much better than I would with 5 billion people watching.
