The Islanders have lacked depth in the last 10 years. Without a single player scoring 80+ points, a team can get by with a lot of secondary scoring. As we have seen this season, the Islanders have had little secondary scoring, and it has hurt the team.
True, one must not judge a player or team by individual points alone, but they are a very good indication of how a player or team is playing overall.
And his reward by the generous owner is to play with two second line wings who don't do offer him much to work with.
I really would be thrilled with Yakupov on the Isles. He's going to be an immense talent. BUT, Moulson is 9th in the WHOLE NHL in goals, and Parenteau is 6th in the WHOLE NHL in assists. We really shouldnt under rate these players. Yeah having Tavares as your center doesn't hurt, but there are not many second line NHL players that are in the top 10 in goal scoring and top 7 in assists. I think we need to move on in the theory that Tavares is playing with minor leaguers, especially in the case of Moulson, who now has 3 straight 30+ goal seasons.
Many players are better than the current Ovechkin. Not the old Ovechkin, though.
On par with Datsyuk? Wouldn't go there. I think he can match HF darling Toews in the near future.
I would say he is at Toews level right now. Toews is more consistent, but when JT at his best so far has been better than Toews at his best. Toews has more hardware, but if I was building a team I would pick Tavares over Toews. Datsyuk is still better, but JT can get there within the next couple of years.
I really would be thrilled with Yakupov on the Isles. He's going to be an immense talent. BUT, Moulson is 9th in the WHOLE NHL in goals, and Parenteau is 6th in the WHOLE NHL in assists. We really shouldnt under rate these players. Yeah having Tavares as your center doesn't hurt, but there are not many second line NHL players that are in the top 10 in goal scoring and top 7 in assists. I think we need to move on in the theory that Tavares is playing with minor leaguers, especially in the case of Moulson, who now has 3 straight 30+ goal seasons.
Like I said, two second liners. I don't consider either Moulson or PAP AHL fodder. But they are not first line material either. You state correctly that Moulson is a 30 goal scorer, I could live with that on one side of John as the unidimensional goal scorer who has little else to offer. But John needs at least one real 1st line wing to play with, and watch that guy get 40 goals. We are throwing goals away by having him play with who he plays with.
And please don't even bring up Bustposo, in case you were considering it. I can't wait until they trade him for defensive help.
I think the only thing I can say is pretty much stating the obvious. Tavares is a dominant franchise player and will only do better as the supporting cast blossoms. There are still huge holes in this team starting from the coach and a lot to fix, BUT we still have the makings of a Chicago type cup team within the next couple years IF they are rectified. I still have faith that it could happen...
I really would be thrilled with Yakupov on the Isles. He's going to be an immense talent. BUT, Moulson is 9th in the WHOLE NHL in goals, and Parenteau is 6th in the WHOLE NHL in assists. We really shouldnt under rate these players. Yeah having Tavares as your center doesn't hurt, but there are not many second line NHL players that are in the top 10 in goal scoring and top 7 in assists. I think we need to move on in the theory that Tavares is playing with minor leaguers, especially in the case of Moulson, who now has 3 straight 30+ goal seasons.
totally agree. we have a player on our team that is a pure offensive threat, something we havent had for over 10 years. it was TOTALLY worth finishing in last place in 08 09.
He might get the 7 points in the 2 game series with Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has been scoring 8 goals a game, but have given up 4-5 a game. So they Isles will probably lose the next two games 8-5.
I would say he is at Toews level right now. Toews is more consistent, but when JT at his best so far has been better than Toews at his best. Toews has more hardware, but if I was building a team I would pick Tavares over Toews. Datsyuk is still better, but JT can get there within the next couple of years.
In the case of Ovechkin and Kovalchuk, the term better hockey player" doesn't mean scoring alone but completeness. On the other hand, Datsuyk is by far the better defensive forward but I believe that John is the better goal scorer with a very slight edge to Datsuyk as a set up guy.
Toews is interesting and I didn't mention him compared to JT, but very little difference other than Toews plays with much more skilled and balances wingers and has reached physical maturity and greater experience. I think it is a wash with John getting ready to surpass Jonathan in the next season, maybe two.
Hey guys, we owe you one for Rolston. He is helping us big time. I guess he wasn't a good fit in the Island
No way dude, he was awesome here! We're gonna resign him in the off-season. I think in his post-trade comments he stated how he never wanted to leave and that he loved the Island and wanted to be part of turning the franchise around to win a cup, on Long Island. Too bad he'll probably have to retire before being able to win another cup, but hey, at least he had the chance to be such a solid contributor to the Islanders! Good luck to your Bruins, it looks like you'll need it as you try to sneak in the playoffs again. You probably won't go too far if you get in with Turco between the pipes though, so again, good luck!
Hey guys, we owe you one for Rolston. He is helping us big time. I guess he wasn't a good fit in the Island
It's hard to play on the Islanders and produce any offense (unless you play with #91).
But in Rolston's case, he simply never gave a crap about playing, he barely even tried, it was painfully obvious. Plus, he's washed up, though having a nice little run with a very talented Bruins team.
The point are realy irrelevant, we know he's had an AWESOME season and is just gonna get better and better, but JT needs 5 points in hs last 4 games to be at a PPG for the season.
Wont be easy, but he could certainly do it. Hell, weve seen JT get 5 points in 1 game
Next year, he'll need to score a bit more consistently.
14 games without a goal (November)
9 games without a goal (February)
Right now, another 9 games without a goal
Getting some secondary scoring would take some weight off his shoulders, but still...your franchise player can't go the equivalent of 2 1/2 months without scoring.
Next year, he'll need to score a bit more consistently.
14 games without a goal (November)
9 games without a goal (February)
Right now, another 9 games without a goal
Getting some secondary scoring would take some weight off his shoulders, but still...your franchise player can't go the equivalent of 2 1/2 months without scoring.
I think he's been very consistent this year. He's had some stretches without goals, but he's gotten assists.
He had ONE stretch of three games without a point and another six game stretch where the NYI were shutout three times.
He's been generating offense all season fairly consistently, always good, often great, with little support.
With more talent around him, JT has the ability to win an Art Ross. He's scored at a higher rate in every league or tournament not associated with the NYI - not sure if that's a coincidence.
Even if he doesn't get 82 pts for PPG avg, 80 points is a milestone number, and probably gets him a spot in top 10 overall league scoring.... if he finishes in top 10 league scorers, that's much more important than whether he technically hits PPG....
Even if he doesn't get 82 pts for PPG avg, 80 points is a milestone number, and probably gets him a spot in top 10 overall league scoring.... if he finishes in top 10 league scorers, that's much more important than whether he technically hits PPG....
Agreed, but it just would be really nice for him to get the 82 so he technically a PPG player in the NHL. More ammo for us Isles fans to defend him all over the HF Boards.
