What's up with Tavares?

[glenwo2]

He's coming to Toronto soon.

Which means he'll end up with the Devils.

The opposite always happens.



But seriously, I think Tavares tests Free Agency and currently has one foot out the door right now.

 

[tony d]

He''s a streaky player but yeah he's been a disappointment lately, got to think he'll pick it up again soon.

 

[SotasicA]

Been watching the Islanders this season a lot (great team) and noticed this guy has honestly been really bad lately (last 25 games), his speed

He never had any significant speed anyway. He's more a cerebral player with a great shot and passing abilities. Honestly, it'd be pretty tough to evaluate him based on how he moves on the ice. You wouldn't think much looking at his movement and skating technique, but he's usually ahead of the game, making sick plays left and right.

When he's not scoring, he doesn't look that special though. And I guess that's the case at the moment. Just not connecting with his plays. It happens.

 

[Mikeshane]

I think his poor skating hampers him so much, he's so slow he ends up being behind the play a lot. He looks like he's 40 years old in 3-on-3 OT sometimes.

 

[GTislanders]

I feel like barzal is getting in his head. Tavares is prone to being streaky but right now hes completely out of it. If its not about him being checked out, than it has to be something else.

Im so torn on what to do with him. Committing the kind of salary he demands at that term is risky. He looks slower, too. Which is not good because he's not exactly fast to begin with.

 

[Newsworthy]

His lack of speed has always hampered him as a player. He's still great but
he would probably be an MVP candidate and top point producer if he could skate like the wind.
This year Barzal has been the best NYI.

 

[sr edler]

He always looks like he’s skating in cement. So nothing new under the sun.

 

[LordNeverLose]

I know I'll just be accused of saying this because he might leave, but I'm honestly not sure I wouldn't rather let JT walk than re-sign him at anything over 10M long-term.

 

[SLAPSHOT723]

I'm getting so so so sick of him. I'm sick of his bland attitude. He's taking too much blame on himself and not giving his teammates enough crap for playing like shit all year. He needs to kick his teammates' asses.

I'm ready to move on and give the Barzal the keys to the team.

 

[LordNeverLose]

I'm getting so so so sick of him. I'm sick of his bland attitude. He's taking too much blame on himself and not giving his teammates enough crap for playing like **** all year. He needs to kick his teammates' asses.

I'm ready to move on and give the Barzal the keys to the team.

Problem is then we're right back to needing another top6 C.

 

[SLAPSHOT723]

Problem is then we're right back to needing another top6 C.

Top-6, not franchise. We have Barzal to be our franchise center.

 

[Pens x]

It has to be getting old playing for the islanders for soooo long. Every season is a waste. Dude has to get out of there before he ends up like Joe Thornton without a cup.

 

[bennysflyers16]

Pretty much put a fork In the Isles if they lose this, so maybe he will go on a run in garbage time to earn him some extra $$$$$

 

[sparxx87]

I know I'll just be accused of saying this because he might leave, but I'm honestly not sure I wouldn't rather let JT walk than re-sign him at anything over 10M long-term.

Fair enough, but if they aren’t keeping him they needed to trade him.

Something > nothing

 

[LordNeverLose]

Fair enough, but if they aren’t keeping him they needed to trade him.

Something > nothing

Yeah it's starting to look like they made a big mistake not trading him and Bailey. Think about how much they could've gotten for those two.

Who knows though, maybe JT re-signs to a reasonable amount and goes back to playing like he did the first half of the season.

 

[LordNeverLose]

Also, shame on OP for missing the obvious title of "John Tavares ... looks bad"

 

[The Winter Soldier]

As a fan that watches many Islander games, he looks a step slow of late. His stats are better than what he has been lately. All season if we are to take a macro look, he has been good this year. But of late, yes, he has been disappointing. He's still one of the best C's in the game, but to coin a phrase he suddenly looks old.

 

[sparxx87]

Yeah it's starting to look like they made a big mistake not trading him and Bailey. Think about how much they could've gotten for those two.

Who knows though, maybe JT re-signs to a reasonable amount and goes back to playing like he did the first half of the season.

I think their biggest mistake was not getting a goalie.

You have to think the impending decision is weighing on him. He’s a loyal guy whom I believe has always had his heart in NY.. but he also recognizes a franchise that’s been spinning its wheels for a while and he may have a better opportunity to win somewhere else.

It’s gotta be tough.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

JT's stick breaking with a point blank slapper, just the way its going now for him right now.

 

[SI90]

Started if hot with a some hat tricks and put up points but he last 2 months he hasn’t looked great. Idk. The points are still there.

 

[EdmFlyersfan]

And people thought he was better than Giroux...lol

 

[LordNeverLose]

And people thought he was better than Giroux...lol

Well I mean for the last like 5 years before the last 20 or so games he was better than Giroux...

 

[authentic]

And people thought he was better than Giroux...lol

Lol he is.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Delete

He does. There is nothing in his career to suggest to me he is that type of player. But when you are the best player on the team, and one of the NHL's best Centers. You got to lead the team. Not be outshone by a 20 year old rookie trying his best to will the Islanders into the playoffs.

 

[Damisoph]

And people thought he was better than Giroux...lol

You mean he's not?