He scored his tenth of the season today I believe in his 26th game. Statistically speaking, he's on pace for 31 1/2 goals. Is anyone surprised that he's adapted to the NHL so quickly, especially after Stamkos struggled initially?
He scored his tenth of the season today I believe in his 26th game. Statistically speaking, he's on pace for 31 1/2 goals. Is anyone surprised that he's adapted to the NHL so quickly, especially after Stamkos struggled initially?
He reminds me of a hybrid of Dany Heatley and Ryan Smyth.
Not a player that wows you when you watch him, but you know he is good because of his positioning and awareness. He needs to work on his balance, though.
He scored his tenth of the season today I believe in his 26th game. Statistically speaking, he's on pace for 31 1/2 goals. Is anyone surprised that he's adapted to the NHL so quickly, especially after Stamkos struggled initially?
He reminds me of a hybrid of Dany Heatley and Ryan Smyth.
Not a player that wows you when you watch him, but you know he is good because of his positioning and awareness. He needs to work on his balance, though.
I think this was pretty expected from most people (or those who have any idea what's going on). Just because Stamkos struggled to start the season last year didn't mean Tavares was going to this year.
He scored his tenth of the season today I believe in his 26th game. Statistically speaking, he's on pace for 31 1/2 goals. Is anyone surprised that he's adapted to the NHL so quickly, especially after Stamkos struggled initially?
Stamkos struggled because of coaching that thought he wasn't ready for the NHL, when he clearly was. Stamkos also had a true number one centre ahead of him. Tavares has neither. Tavares is being given every chance to succeed, Stamkos wasn't at the start of the year. Just looking at each of there time on ice per game, Tavares is currently has 18:32 min and is the second highest time on ice of any forward on the isles. Stamkos on the other hand had 14:56 and was 8th in terms of time on ice of any forward on Tampa.
Stamkos struggled because of coaching that thought he wasn't ready for the NHL, when he clearly was. Stamkos also had a true number one centre ahead of him. Tavares has neither. Tavares is being given every chance to succeed, Stamkos wasn't at the start of the year. Just looking at each of there time on ice per game, Tavares is currently has 18:32 min and is the second highest time on ice of any forward on the isles. Stamkos on the other hand had 14:56 and was 8th in terms of time on ice of any forward on Tampa.
Agreed. Tavares is being given all he can take in terms of icetime and responsibility and he's running with it. Stamkos didn't get that his rookie year and wasn't really able to get involved. He had throwaway minutes with throwaway linemates for the early going.
This is what happens when these top young guys get a lot of minutes in a prominent role. Kane and Tavares have gotten good opportunities right off the bat. Stamkos was getting 7 minutes a game for the first half of the year. Since hes played top lines minutes I think he leads the league in goals (since last February).
Tavares is a very effective player inside the offensive zone. I can't wait to see how dominant he can become if he learns how to skate.
This. He may have the best offensive instincts in the NHL. If he can put on some size and develop game-breaking speed, he'll be unstoppable. Get this kid to a squat rack.
This. He may have the best offensive instincts in the NHL. If he can put on some size and develop game-breaking speed and he'll be unstoppable. Get this kid to a squat rack.
Tavares will never have game breaking speed, though it's certainly not unreasonable to expect/demand that his skating improve. But your point is well taken. The ability to push defenders back would make him even more lethal , add another dimension to his game, outside of down low in the offensive zone.
Personally, I'd like to see NYI find a burner on his wing next season to open up more ice and to be a safeguard defensively, because the Isles #1 line is lacking in both areas.
I think his skating is fine, he doesn't need gamebreaking speed to be successful the way he plays.
It hurts him defensively, if that matters to one. Likewise, his and the team's overall lack of speed is noticable vs. faster teams. To suggest it is just fine is to view it strictly from an offensive stats perspecitive (which undoubtedly is fine for some).
Big picture (a contending team), it needs simprovement. Tavares is remarkable in one dimension of the game, at a ridiculously young age. You want your best player(s) to be multi-dimensional. He has time on his side, as well as a great disposition.
The Kid is very mature and shows some leadership skills already IMO.
Agreed.
See a lot of Crosby's quiet determination in him. Never too high or too low. Those who want their NHLers to be loud, self-aggrandiing actors/rockstars call it "boring". Others of us call it maturity and focus...on the things that matter.
Simply put, this kid is the best thing to happen to the New York Islanders since being handed Denis Potvin. Anyone saying otherwise is kidding themselves. He is not only on pace for 30 goals, he has had how many near misses? He could have double his goal count - currently- if he figured out how to handle these 1 timers around the net.
His nose for the net is deadly and whenever he has the puck you have this feeling something is going to happen. And it usually does.
Not the most dynamic player in the league, but his vision and hands is deadly.
It's important to look at the pressure, his poise, and the results for the Islanders. We are talking a 30th place team just a year before.
