What held John Tavares back?

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Players who don't depend on skating usually age better, Thornton, Crosby, Sedin, Backstrom all put up great seasons in their early 30's, Tavares lack of production isn't just due to skating. He's quite overrated in general.

Stamkos has topped his career high twice in the last 4 years, they're just a different class of players.

Now you're just flaunting your ignorance

During their 31 year old seasons:

Thornton
21g 70p in 80gp

Backstrom
12g 54p in 61gp

Sedin
11g 45p in 48gp

Tavares
27g 76p in 79gp

Seems like you've got an axe to grind here for some reason.

 

[Sky04]

Now you're just flaunting your ignorance

During their 31 year old seasons:

Thornton
21g 70p in 80gp

Backstrom
12g 54p in 61gp

Sedin
11g 45p in 48gp

Tavares
27g 76p in 79gp

Seems like you've got an axe to grind here for some reason.

What? Can you not read properly or not add right? I like how you tried (and failed) to pick one year when these guys produced well in their later years too. which was the point but hey don't let the facts hurt you.

Henrik Sedin:

29 years old: 82 games, 112 points (1st in the league)
30 years old: 82 games, 94 points (4th in the league)
31 years old: 82 games, 81 points (9th in the league)

Nick Backstrom:

29 years old: 82 games, 86 points (4th in the league)
30 years old: 82 games, 71 points (33rd)
31 years old: 80 games, 74 points (50th)

Birthday's are hard, I know.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

What? Can you not read properly or not add right? I like how you tried (and failed) to pick one year when these guys produced well in their later years too. which was the point but hey don't let the facts hurt you.

Henrik Sedin:

29 years old: 82 games, 112 points (1st in the league)
30 years old: 82 games, 94 points (4th in the league)
31 years old: 82 games, 81 points (9th in the league)

Nick Backstrom:

29 years old: 82 games, 86 points (4th in the league)
30 years old: 82 games, 71 points (33rd)
31 years old: 80 games, 74 points (50th)

Birthday's are hard, I know.

TIL 29 is "early 30s" lol.

I picked 31 because it's the most recent season for Tavares in his early 30s lol.

 

[LightningStorm]

Skating, which did reduce his hype the year leading up to him being drafted. His first 2 years in the OHL were when his hype peaked, and at times even approached Crosby/McDavid levels. Scored 45 goals at age 15 after being given exceptional status, then exploded for 70 goals at age 16. But as his lack of skating ability got noticed more his last couple of years, the hype wasn't as big. Still the most hyped prospect in between Crosby and McDavid though.

In a way, the NBA equivalent to Tavares is another GTA native: Andrew Wiggins. His hype was massive coming out of high school, but died down after his first year of college, despite him still being the #1 pick after that. Plus Tavares has been a better NHL player than Wiggins an NBA one.

 

[Sky04]

TIL 29 is "early 30s" lol.

I picked 31 because it's the most recent season for Tavares in his early 30s lol.

And yet you listed their 32 year old+ seasons? Hmm....imagine that.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

And yet you listed their 32 year old+ seasons? Hmm....imagine that.

I listed their 31 year old seasons based on their ages on hockeydb

 

[Regal]

I listed their 31 year old seasons based on their ages on hockeydb

That was Sedin’s 32 year old season. He was born September 26, 1980, so turned 31 before the start of the 11-12 season, where he was 7th in points and 9th in points per game. That year and his following age 32 year were also lower scoring, so his 45 in 48 at age 32 was 20th in scoring and 25th in points per game. Tavares was 42nd in scoring and 51st in points per game last year.

Backstrom was born November 23, 1987, which means he turned 31 22-games into the 18-19 season, in which he had 74 points in 80 games.

That was Thornton’s 31 year old season though, though he had 3 better seasons later in his career.

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

He was super hyped as a prospect. Some on HF thought he would be better than Stamkos. His skating is what kept him from greatness. He's still got plenty in the tank but his best years are behind him.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

That was Sedin’s 32 year old season. He was born September 26, 1980, so turned 31 before the start of the 11-12 season, where he was 7th in points and 9th in points per game. That year and his following age 32 year were also lower scoring, so his 45 in 48 at age 32 was 20th in scoring and 25th in points per game. Tavares was 42nd in scoring and 51st in points per game last year.

Backstrom was born November 23, 1987, which means he turned 31 22-games into the 18-19 season, in which he had 74 points in 80 games.

That was Thornton’s 31 year old season though, though he had 3 better seasons later in his career.

Like I said, I did it based on how hockeydb lists their age for each season.

Vancouver Canucks 2012-13 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com

The roster, scoring and goaltender statistics for the 2012-13 Vancouver Canucks playing in the NHL.

www.hockeydb.com

 

[wetcoast]

Skating is the pretty clear answer

Surprised so many got it right.

 

[TheGreatOne11]

Johnny may not be an all time great, but if he keeps his longevity up and continues at a ppg pace for the next few years he will be considered in the tier just under great.

32 and still ppg, if he can keep up that stat line he will be remembered very fondly, not someone that wows you with 100 plus points. But if you go your entire career and especially your 30-36 years at a ppg or 70-90 points. You are a great player imo.

 

[Midnight Judges]

I don't think anything in particular is holding him back. His NHL results represent a pretty good maximization of his capabilities.

He's a great player, but not remotely an all-time great.