Of course, he also has 2.1 shots per game (as good as any Islander not named Tavares, Moulson or Grabner), and there is, apparently, a clear correlation between shots at net and quality of a player. Nevermind the fact that he has scored exactly 0 times in the 18 games this season, then.
Tavares is 3rd overall in points thus far in the NHL this season. Not bad for such a ho-hum, average player.
P.A. Parenteau, who even Islander fans seem to dislike is 5th overall is assists. Considering he is a cast off, and came here with no fan fare, quite impressive.
Matt Moulson is 8th overall on goals.
When people talk about how much P.A. sucks it seems strange. The guy is getting it done. I don't care how, but he is getting it done.
Neilsen is not the only guy I want to see the Isles keep. P.A. has made the list of keepers. No other 70-80pt guy is signing here in July. Why not keep the one we have?
The media in Canada, or anywhere else can "hate" on JT or the Islanders all they want. I always felt that the Isles and their players — even during the cup years — never got the credit they deserved. Everyone talks Gretzky and Messier, but people seem to forget Trottier and Bossy. Everyone is keen on Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque and Scott Stevens as the best defenders, and some how Potvin is an "after thought."
Let them "hate." It makes winning that much more fun!
IF JT gets THIS team of career minor leaguers (Moulson, Parenteau, Montoya) and underachievers (Okposo, Bailey) into the playoffs, and stays within 10 points of the league leader, he should definitely get MVP for the season.
John Tavares is opening eyes. I listen /watch games on the internet (Time Warner still not showing games ) and the Flyer, Maple Leaf and Carolina announcers were all saying how good JT is. The word used by the a Carolina announcer last night to describe his play was "elite". The Toronto announcers couldn't believe his speed. Philly announcer (Jones) spoke of his superior hockey sense. He's being noticed, at least lately.
The media in Canada, or anywhere else can "hate" on JT or the Islanders all they want. I always felt that the Isles and their players — even during the cup years — never got the credit they deserved. Everyone talks Gretzky and Messier, but people seem to forget Trottier and Bossy. Everyone is keen on Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque and Scott Stevens as the best defenders, and some how Potvin is an "after thought."
Let them "hate." It makes winning that much more fun!
There is no media in Canada that hates on JT. The Isles, yes, all the time. JT, not once ever have I heard anything but accolades and praise for him in Canadian media.
There is no media in Canada that hates on JT. The Isles, yes, all the time. JT, not once ever have I heard anything but accolades and praise for him in Canadian media.
I recall Craig Button questioning JT's game in the first season, proclaiming Duchene was the best guy in the draft. I recall Bill Watters on Toronto radio stating "Tavares can't skate. He's easy to stop at the NHL level, they've already figured him out" - that was in his second year slump. He has since retracted that statement saying "I was wrong" - which was nice to hear.
These media parasites in the overstuffed hockey markets where anyone with an opinion becomes a panel expert.
Bob McKenzie who's the best of everyone, by a landslide, was cautious to declare Tavares as the next generational talent, not in the Crosby/Ovechkin category and I fully respected his opinion, at the time (which was before the draft).
He was right though. It's really hard to imagine JT could have improved his strength AND speed so quickly into his NHL career.
Pierre Maguire always loved Tavares but he's so dramatic that nobody can take him seriously anymore.
People that pay attention though, they fully acknowledge that Tavares has emerged into a game-changer.
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