John Tavares

[Maplebeasts]

Dregs needs to shut up. Obvious attempt at stirring up drama. If this had any factual basis to it he would have come forward sooner.

 

[Maplebeasts]

It's pretty funny watching Isle fans trip over themselves trying to convince anyone that they are a better team without Tavares.
I think they've invented a new stage of grief.

Nah they're still in denial. Somehow anger, bargaining, and depression have also been happening at the same time. Acceptance will never come.

 

[Pi]

It's pretty funny watching Isle fans trip over themselves trying to convince anyone that they are a better team without Tavares.
I think they've invented a new stage of grief.

I cannot wait till reality hits them next season like it did to New Jersey, Colorado, Dallas a couple times, Edmonton, Florida etc.

 

[Mess]

If you take Tavares out of the Leafs line-up this season our Leafs would be battling for a WC spot with the likes Montreal and Carolina and Columbus right now and might be in jeopardy of missing the playoffs.

His 2nd in the NHL in goals is what is separating the Leafs from that wild card chasing pack. IMO

Johnny has been a very important player to the Leafs and is masking some of their bigger flaws.

 

[Martin Skoula]

If you take Tavares out of the Leafs line-up this season our Leafs would be battling for a WC spot with the likes Montreal and Carolina and Columbus right now and might be in jeopardy of missing the playoffs.

His 2nd in the NHL in goals is what is separating the Leafs from that wild card chasing pack. IMO

If you take 11 million out of most lineups and replace it with nothing, they'll struggle. Not sure what your point is.

 

[The90]

If you take Tavares out of the Leafs line-up this season our Leafs would be battling for a WC spot with the likes Montreal and Carolina and Columbus right now and might be in jeopardy of missing the playoffs.

His 2nd in the NHL in goals is what is separating the Leafs from that wild card chasing pack. IMO

Well, disagree. Because if that were the case, bozak and JvR likely re sign in Toronto. If they don’t than maybe

 

[Morbo]

If you take Tavares out of the Leafs line-up this season our Leafs would be battling for a WC spot with the likes Montreal and Carolina and Columbus right now and might be in jeopardy of missing the playoffs.

His 2nd in the NHL in goals is what is separating the Leafs from that wild card chasing pack. IMO

oh really? who was Tavares' replacement at centre in this imaginary scenario?

 

[Morbo]

It's pretty funny watching Isle fans trip over themselves trying to convince anyone that they are a better team without Tavares.
I think they've invented a new stage of grief.

yeah done some reading and it's not healthy over there

 

[Its not your fault]

Hottest take of them all

Don't quit your day job

Theres only so many points to go around when you are this good.

 

[dubey]

OP is being made an example of by this thread remaining open

910 post berating lol

 

[BertCorbeau]

Alright enough of this shit about the TWS .. Take the high road and just laugh at him without talking about him here.

 

[NoName]

Honestly, who really cares. Why get upset at this? The facts are he signed with the Leafs and he has so far produced exactly like we hoped for when he signed. What “might have been” is irrelevant.

 

[TmlHockeyFan]

If you take Tavares out of the Leafs line-up this season our Leafs would be battling for a WC spot with the likes Montreal and Carolina and Columbus right now and might be in jeopardy of missing the playoffs.

His 2nd in the NHL in goals is what is separating the Leafs from that wild card chasing pack. IMO

Johnny has been a very important player to the Leafs and is masking some of their bigger flaws.

Any idea how many goals of his are GWG or game tying goals (or assists?)

 

[Superstar]

https://www.tsn.ca/dreger-tavares-deal-wasn-t-as-slam-dunk-as-thought-on-july-1-1.1279872

Dreger is clueless...his Leafs insider status flushed down the toilet with the departure of Nonis...all you have to do and look back at the TSN panel last July when Elliotte Friedman broke the news that Tavares signed with the Leafs. Dreger started talking at the 2:20 mark of this video, but before that he was just pretending to look at his phone, keeping busy as if he had something more important than to contribute to the biggest conversation that the Leafs had just signed the most awesome superstar in the modern day to ever hit free agency. I think it started at that point where Dreger began grinding an ax with Dubas because he is not a Leafs insider at all...remember a month or 2 ago when he stirred up crap about Marner being offer sheeted? He simply focused on the Leafs when in fact, any number of other teams' players like Raantanen, Laine, etc. could face the same offersheet scenario...not just the Leafs!

 

[FlareKnight]

I've just given up on listening to a single thing Dreger has to say. He's just reached the level of rumor mongers you could find on twitter or any random site. Once Nonis went out the door so did his access

 

[BayStreetBully]

Tavares was born to play for the Leafs. Cites his hometown connection and appreciation of the team’s history as reasons why he came here. What a great role model for the youngsters on the team.

 

[deletethis]

It's pretty funny watching Isle fans trip over themselves trying to convince anyone that they are a better team without Tavares.
I think they've invented a new stage of grief.

Less grieving a personal loss, more the hurt of a breakup. JT indirectly implied "it's you not me" and it hurts. That first visit to Barclay Center was the post-breakup party they've showed up to prove they don't care anymore but the night ended with them looking like a pathetic hot mess.

Now they're in the stalker stage.

 

[Mess]

Any idea how many goals of his are GWG or game tying goals (or assists?)

Johnny T has 7 game winning goals this year, among his 45.

Leafs have 96 points and Montreal the WC #2 team has 90 points which is the playoff cut-off line.

Tavares impact, in terms of his goals for the Leafs is a reason whey Leafs have 3 more wins than Montreal.

Food for thought:

Timing is everything because if Matthews new contract kicked in this year @$11.6 mil instead of next year then the Leafs couldn't have afforded to sign Tavares @ $11 mil, even if he wanted to come home because they wouldn't have had the cap room to do it.

Without JT things would be a lot different this year, Leafs forward line-up would look something like this;

Hyman --- Matthews --- Marner
Johnsson -- Nylander -- Kapanen
Marleau --- Kadri -- Brown
Lindholm -- Gauthier -- Ennis

 

[Mess]

Tavares was born to play for the Leafs. Cites his hometown connection and appreciation of the team’s history as reasons why he came here. What a great role model for the youngsters on the team.

I think you mean this ...


My First Hockey Memory


Rogers Canada Published on Jan 25, 2019

We believe in the power of human connections to make dreams possible. Watch and see how John Tavares’ first hockey memory became a dream come true. #MakeMorePossible

Tavares dream to play for his Maple Leafs started at an early age.

 

[ninetyone]

the Islanders are a "better team" simply measured by year-over-year points - that's attributed to a suffocating defensive system and superb goaltending, nothing to do with Tavares. Except, it's got everything to do with Tavares being gone. Maybe if Tavares is still there, the system they play is altered? Maybe they play the same and the Isles are an even BETTER team than today? I know they struggle offensively, the statistical career years of Bailey/Lee are far below the last two years, Barzal has struggled as the top line centre who's scoring is way down and defensive play is far worse, largely due to facing top pairings and going against top oppositions.

It's apples and bowling balls comparison.

To suggest he wouldn't make the Isles better (or any team for that matter) is beyond stupid, but not unexpected.

I'd say in Toronto this year, Tavares has had a much easier time in production. He plays a much simpler game/style, fewer minutes, has far more offensive opportunities and many are driven by Marner. He doesn't have to drive the offense as much, he's almost playing the role Anders Lee played on Long Island the last two years - a fierce net-front player who can score.

It's not a coincidence that Hyman/Marner are also on career bests for goals/points. The one thing Tavares does better than anyone on the Leafs (and among the best in the NHL) is offensive zone time/cycling/getting pucks to the net. Not many sexy highlight-reel plays but a lot of hard work, battle-type goals and why Hyman/Tavares work so well with Mitch.

The one difference to this year vs. last year is in how Boston will be able to handle that down low game, something the Leafs lacked big-time last year. It's too bad it's been such a down year for some key players like Kadri, Nylander, Marleau, Brown and recent slowdown of Kapanen, recent injuries to Gardiner/Dermott haven't helped, but the Leafs have a real chance to do some damage in the playoffs this year if they can get hot at the right time.

Can't wait for the playoffs.

 

[stickty111]

the Islanders are a "better team" simply measured by year-over-year points - that's attributed to a suffocating defensive system and superb goaltending, nothing to do with Tavares. Except, it's got everything to do with Tavares being gone. Maybe if Tavares is still there, the system they play is altered? Maybe they play the same and the Isles are an even BETTER team than today? I know they struggle offensively, the statistical career years of Bailey/Lee are far below the last two years, Barzal has struggled as the top line centre who's scoring is way down and defensive play is far worse, largely due to facing top pairings and going against top oppositions.

It's apples and bowling balls comparison.

To suggest he wouldn't make the Isles better (or any team for that matter) is beyond stupid, but not unexpected.

I'd say in Toronto this year, Tavares has had a much easier time in production. He plays a much simpler game/style, fewer minutes, has far more offensive opportunities and many are driven by Marner. He doesn't have to drive the offense as much, he's almost playing the role Anders Lee played on Long Island the last two years - a fierce net-front player who can score.

It's not a coincidence that Hyman/Marner are also on career bests for goals/points. The one thing Tavares does better than anyone on the Leafs (and among the best in the NHL) is offensive zone time/cycling/getting pucks to the net. Not many sexy highlight-reel plays but a lot of hard work, battle-type goals and why Hyman/Tavares work so well with Mitch.

The one difference to this year vs. last year is in how Boston will be able to handle that down low game, something the Leafs lacked big-time last year. It's too bad it's been such a down year for some key players like Kadri, Nylander, Marleau, Brown and recent slowdown of Kapanen, recent injuries to Gardiner/Dermott haven't helped, but the Leafs have a real chance to do some damage in the playoffs this year if they can get hot at the right time.

Can't wait for the playoffs.

While I don't agree with some parts, this is a solid objective post from an Isles fan.

 

[Raym11]

If you take Tavares out of the Leafs line-up this season our Leafs would be battling for a WC spot with the likes Montreal and Carolina and Columbus right now and might be in jeopardy of missing the playoffs.

His 2nd in the NHL in goals is what is separating the Leafs from that wild card chasing pack. IMO

Johnny has been a very important player to the Leafs and is masking some of their bigger flaws.

Without JT we wouldnt even be battling for a wildcard spot at this point. This team has underperformed/regressed all season, even with standout performances and career marks for the best players.

Isles would flat out be a better team with JT, they are associating all success to not having him, and all past failures to him being there, as if nothing else changed. I don't see the need to fixate on it anymore or even talk about the salt coming from their fans. We'd probably be doing the exact same thing. I hope this place is around if/when Matthews leaves. Will be quite the sight.

 

[Raym11]

the Islanders are a "better team" simply measured by year-over-year points - that's attributed to a suffocating defensive system and superb goaltending, nothing to do with Tavares. Except, it's got everything to do with Tavares being gone. Maybe if Tavares is still there, the system they play is altered? Maybe they play the same and the Isles are an even BETTER team than today? I know they struggle offensively, the statistical career years of Bailey/Lee are far below the last two years, Barzal has struggled as the top line centre who's scoring is way down and defensive play is far worse, largely due to facing top pairings and going against top oppositions.

It's apples and bowling balls comparison.

To suggest he wouldn't make the Isles better (or any team for that matter) is beyond stupid, but not unexpected.

I'd say in Toronto this year, Tavares has had a much easier time in production. He plays a much simpler game/style, fewer minutes, has far more offensive opportunities and many are driven by Marner. He doesn't have to drive the offense as much, he's almost playing the role Anders Lee played on Long Island the last two years - a fierce net-front player who can score.

It's not a coincidence that Hyman/Marner are also on career bests for goals/points. The one thing Tavares does better than anyone on the Leafs (and among the best in the NHL) is offensive zone time/cycling/getting pucks to the net. Not many sexy highlight-reel plays but a lot of hard work, battle-type goals and why Hyman/Tavares work so well with Mitch.

The one difference to this year vs. last year is in how Boston will be able to handle that down low game, something the Leafs lacked big-time last year. It's too bad it's been such a down year for some key players like Kadri, Nylander, Marleau, Brown and recent slowdown of Kapanen, recent injuries to Gardiner/Dermott haven't helped, but the Leafs have a real chance to do some damage in the playoffs this year if they can get hot at the right time.

Can't wait for the playoffs.

Tavares only has 18 points on the powerplay. Our team in general has been bad on the PP/spread out given how hot it was to start. During his best years on the Islanders he had over 30.

His 5 on 5 is much easier here, and with the changes to calls this year, none of our players have really benefited from power play points like some guys. I would not be surprised if JT and Marner hit 100 points simultaneously at some point playing together.

JT will help us vs the Bruins immensely, and let Matthews play against the weaker line. If we win against the B's, it'll pretty much be the Marner line and our 3/4th lines carrying.

 

[Martin Skoula]

Johnny T has 7 game winning goals this year, among his 45.

Leafs have 96 points and Montreal the WC #2 team has 90 points which is the playoff cut-off line.

Tavares impact, in terms of his goals for the Leafs is a reason whey Leafs have 3 more wins than Montreal.

Food for thought:

Timing is everything because if Matthews new contract kicked in this year @$11.6 mil instead of next year then the Leafs couldn't have afforded to sign Tavares @ $11 mil, even if he wanted to come home because they wouldn't have had the cap room to do it.

Without JT things would be a lot different this year, Leafs forward line-up would look something like this;

Hyman --- Matthews --- Marner
Johnsson -- Nylander -- Kapanen
Marleau --- Kadri -- Brown
Lindholm -- Gauthier -- Ennis

You forgot the part where that lineup has 11 million in cap space.

 

[IPS]

It's pretty funny watching Isle fans trip over themselves trying to convince anyone that they are a better team without Tavares.
I think they've invented a new stage of grief.

Nah they're still in denial. Somehow anger, bargaining, and depression have also been happening at the same time. Acceptance will never come.

Are they not?

We jacked their best player and they've been right with us in the standings the way through. Tavares leaving gave them a rallying point and a chip on their shoulder. Our team is on pace for less points than last year, we wouldn't even be in the playoffs if it wasn't for Tavares.