Maybe he's injured? He looked faster at the beginning of the year. I don't know what's happened to him. Not only is his pace off but his timing too, he's a step ahead or behind his teammates, passes that should be tape to tape just aren't, he's not burying easy opportunities. He's just taken a nose dive and can't seem to get his bearings to get himself out of the rough patch.
John Tavares appreciation thread
- Thread starter stickty111
- Start date
makbeer
Registered User
- Sep 28, 2006
- 1,234
- 1,251
Dude is a PS4 trying to hang with a bunch of Ps5.
Just looks slow and lacking confidence right now. I think the scarier part is how slow he looks. Not his skating either, his hands and his decision making. 2019 Tavares would have buried that open net on Rittich instead of just shoveling it lightly towards the net.
saffronleaf
Registered User
that's what stood out to me. it's not just the physical slowness, but the mental / cognitive slowness.
saffronleaf
Registered User
He had Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner as his linemates today. Is that not ideal? What is it when you get to play with the best duo in the league?
And what was the result?
I feel for JT but he's got to battle through it. You're the captain of the Toronto F***ing MAPLE LEAFS! Gut check time.
We don't need him to be a top 10 player commensurate with his salary. Just be the best 2nd line C in the league. What's that a league top 20 C? He's so far from that right now it's actually sad to watch.
We don't need him to be a top 10 player commensurate with his salary. Just be the best 2nd line C in the league. What's that a league top 20 C? He's so far from that right now it's actually sad to watch.
MattySnipes
Registered User
I still appreciate Tavares.
He'll get 'er goin.
He'll get 'er goin.
I was happy when we signed him but I also knew his contract was going to set the floor for Matthews and Marner.
I expected a drop off around 32 or so, but how many players do we see hit a wall at 30 nowadays? Not to mention Tavares was never a speed demon to begin with.
The NHL is getting quicker every year and with the leafs playing an up-tempo game he is going to need to be on the wing soon enough.
I expected a drop off around 32 or so, but how many players do we see hit a wall at 30 nowadays? Not to mention Tavares was never a speed demon to begin with.
The NHL is getting quicker every year and with the leafs playing an up-tempo game he is going to need to be on the wing soon enough.
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
- 83,142
- 62,081
Dubas did a great job signing Thornton and Spezza for $1.4 million combined this offseason. That has been the saving grace to the whole situation.
Between Thornton, Tavares and Spezza you've basically got three guys averaging $4.13 million AAV. At that sticker price, you're okay with it, since on any given night, any one of the three can emerge as the best of the group. But Tavares has been a massive let down.
I think I've seen enough. Get another top 9 C trade any futures asset not named Robertson or Sandin.
Tavares can play bottom 6 LW against weaker competition. At least I hope they'd be weaker.
Maybe he finds his game and works his way back to 2C. If he does then good problem to have.
Tavares can play bottom 6 LW against weaker competition. At least I hope they'd be weaker.
Maybe he finds his game and works his way back to 2C. If he does then good problem to have.
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unitedstars87
Registered User
- Jun 2, 2006
- 1,207
- 705
He’s a very good hockey player and one of my favourite players even with the islanders. Having said that, sometimes captains need to bring other elements to the game, especially if he’s playing 2C.
Crosby - can be a pest, play a very chippy game and show his frustration, heck he even scraps when need be.
Ovi - Can change the game with a bullet shot, but can change a game and an entire playoffs with big hits.
Iginla, Morrow, Chara, Getzlaf, heck even Lidstrom, etc - Don’t need to scrap but try something else to change the game. Block a shot do something else to change the game. Don’t get laid out or watch your goalie get runned over and just go back to the bench. I see more aggressiveness in Matthews as he matures and not taking sh** from opponents anymore. Tavares is a great player but if he really signed here for a cup run, he needs to bring a different element when he’s not putting up points or even handling the puck well.
Crosby - can be a pest, play a very chippy game and show his frustration, heck he even scraps when need be.
Ovi - Can change the game with a bullet shot, but can change a game and an entire playoffs with big hits.
Iginla, Morrow, Chara, Getzlaf, heck even Lidstrom, etc - Don’t need to scrap but try something else to change the game. Block a shot do something else to change the game. Don’t get laid out or watch your goalie get runned over and just go back to the bench. I see more aggressiveness in Matthews as he matures and not taking sh** from opponents anymore. Tavares is a great player but if he really signed here for a cup run, he needs to bring a different element when he’s not putting up points or even handling the puck well.
TorontoTrades
Registered User
- Feb 4, 2012
- 6,459
- 2,194
Tavares is on an 82 games pace: 25 goals 45 assist 70 point season.
For 11 million that's not good enough but considering Tavares is looking the worst he has in a Leafs uniform it could be a lot worse. Hopefully he can get a few bounces his way and his confidence comes back.
For 11 million that's not good enough but considering Tavares is looking the worst he has in a Leafs uniform it could be a lot worse. Hopefully he can get a few bounces his way and his confidence comes back.
Mattavarner
Registered User
- Apr 17, 2014
- 1,595
- 1,199
That contract could be crippling if he doesnt get it back together, I wouldnt pay half of his 11M for what hes doing at the moment.
Plenty of time to get it back though, better now than in 2 months
Plenty of time to get it back though, better now than in 2 months
Maybe it is the curse of wearing the C. The moment he wore the C, his play declines.
Or maybe he is putting too much pressure on himself.
I agree with a lot of you in that he is slow-in terms of seeing and reacting to the game. Thats a huge concern.
Or maybe he is putting too much pressure on himself.
I agree with a lot of you in that he is slow-in terms of seeing and reacting to the game. Thats a huge concern.
TheGreatOne11
Registered User
Like Thornton a move to the wing might be the only realistic option. He’s not even first line wing.
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Seath The Scaleless
Paledrake
His hands stick out the most for me. His passing, puck handling, and shooting are all off at the moment. I really hope it's injury related
I just hopes the next baby comes during offseason.
His mind is just elsewhere ever since the first kid, and now he has his second.
His mind is just elsewhere ever since the first kid, and now he has his second.
I'd like to see Nylander tried at center, think he might embrace it and also be better playing down the center with more options. He and Tavares don't seem to be clicking.
I appreciate Tavares, but I do not appreciate talking about his struggles two years in a row now. Come on JT, you're better than this. I'm trying to find some positives to talk about his game and there's just nothing for the past few weeks. Bleh.
KingWongQc
Registered User
- Jan 30, 2021
- 93
- 50
match the young robertson with him i think its gonna be a perfect fit. as a poor habs fan, i would take tavares instead of kotkaniemi as a 2nd center....
