Tavares' size and skating
- Thread starter Sweet Leaf
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Peasy
Registered User
JT plays a skilled grinding game kinda like Crosby.
justashadowof
Registered User
- Aug 15, 2020
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Sometimes I wonder whether he plays too heavy in the regular season but then again there would a drop in production and hence an effect on the fortunes of the team in the regular season. His legs must be insanely strong like Crosby's.
I think JT's strength plays into it, I think his desire plays into it, I think his skills play into it, I think...John Tavares happens to be a hellofa player. Today he's great, tomorrow he'll be very good, and occasionally he'll be alright. Tavares will never be an embarrassment to the team, he's a professional. People obsessing about tomorrow forget that we live in today, John Tavares is a player who consistently offers the best he can be today.
WillyC
Registered User
- Sep 7, 2018
- 1,132
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Tavares skated similar in junior when he wasn’t 210.
It’s his hockey IQ and tenacity that makes him who he is.
His game should age well… maybe he goes Spezza contract on his next deal.
It’s his hockey IQ and tenacity that makes him who he is.
His game should age well… maybe he goes Spezza contract on his next deal.
Havoc
Registered User
- Jul 25, 2009
- 7,334
- 7,600
JT has played this way his whole career. Ask any Islander fan, even when they loved him, they'll tell you he isn't a flashy player and you don't notice him at times. He just gets things done and is the go-to definition along with guys like Crosby and Bergeron for what technically sound means. The drama around his salary was always noise to me. Sign this guy again 10/10 times.
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
- 83,109
- 62,027
When I see him struggle at times with speed and cleanly handling the puck over the past two seasons, getting swarmed by aggressive back checks and things like that, I’m gaining appreciation for how much work must go into the good times when things are going well. He plays such a heavy style, I don’t think anything comes “effortlessly” for him.
Leafsfan74
Registered User
- Jul 2, 2018
- 5,744
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He's changed his game to adapt to his own physical aging and the game itself. Smart players do this.
Just as Simmonds acknowledged the games change and his need to do the same, ditto for Spezza.
The way I view this is that the neighbourhood bulldog may not be the same bulldog he was seven years prior, people may not.cross the street when they see him coming around the block, but, he doesn't forget that he is still a bulldog.
The game may change, the competition may change, but, their brain and DNA is the same, they just need to shift their approach to remain effective. In the case of Tavares, even dominant at times.
Just as Simmonds acknowledged the games change and his need to do the same, ditto for Spezza.
The way I view this is that the neighbourhood bulldog may not be the same bulldog he was seven years prior, people may not.cross the street when they see him coming around the block, but, he doesn't forget that he is still a bulldog.
The game may change, the competition may change, but, their brain and DNA is the same, they just need to shift their approach to remain effective. In the case of Tavares, even dominant at times.
Seras
Dubas supporter
Menzinger
Kessel4LadyByng
One of the main reasons why I don't worry too much about physical decline and Tavares is that his skating has never been a focal point of his game - it's his size and hand skills, neither of which will be going away anytime soon.
tom leafers
Registered User
on a completely unrelated note, i saw Tucker a few years ago and the guy had the biggest legs/ass ive ever seen
Martin Skoula
Registered User
- Oct 18, 2017
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I wouldn't be surprised if his statistical peak ended up being from the back half of his contract as a power winger. Stick him on top line LW and give Nylander a line at C with skilled grinders like Kase and Bunting.
It's just nuts that a guy who has put up 230 points in 230 games -- including a 47 goals in his inaugural season as a Leaf, and 32 points in 29 games since coming back from a playoff injury where we were concerned he might not play hockey again -- as a Maple Leaf.... who came here voluntarily... the biggest star signing in decades in any NHL team... the first major Toronto superstar who came home... is anything but worshiped here in town.
Tavares at 31 looks a lot like Sundin at 31 to me. A point per game horse.
Tavares at 31 looks a lot like Sundin at 31 to me. A point per game horse.
Isaac Nootin
Registered User
- Sep 28, 2017
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Matthews is not 220, he's listed almost everywhere at 6'3" 205. I think it was last offseason he noticeably slimmed down.
Rants Mulliniks
Registered User
- Jun 22, 2008
- 23,175
- 6,223
Kinda like a Clydesdale. Some are racehorses, some are dependable workhorses.
Seath The Scaleless
Paledrake
The only time where he kind of concerned me was the first half of last season when he had issues handling the puck. He was treating the puck like a hot potato and his passes weren't as crisp. I think he mentioned something about a new stick batch and the curve, but I still believe he was dealing with some sort of hand injury.
His skating, IQ, and pretty much everything else were never a concern for me. And now this year he is playing arguably his best hockey as a Leaf.
His skating, IQ, and pretty much everything else were never a concern for me. And now this year he is playing arguably his best hockey as a Leaf.
Apotheosis
Registered User
He's always played like this. His chemistry with Nylander is a sight to behold tbh. Could potentially finish with 85-90 points this year with Nylander also scoring PPG+. The most complete team we have seen in years from a whole team perspective.
Stonehands1990
Registered User
- Apr 2, 2021
- 1,381
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I’ve been highly critical of Tavares wheels at times but for tough gritty playoff hockey, winning board battles and fighting for position down low he’s exactly the type of star player you want
Sweet Leaf
Registered User
Yeah I was using ESPN for the weight but noticed he was 205 somewhere else (I think NHL.com). Just underlines more my point about JT playing heavy because that suits his game...and likely not being as quick because of it. Matthews is 2 inches taller and 6 pounds lighter.
I have been worried about the Tavares contract since the start of last year but hes doing a great job at changing my mind. Might be playing the best hockey of his career this year. Giving Matthews some competition as top player this year. Somewhere both he and Matthews are beasts is in puck battles, although they have very different approaches. JT excels at finding pucks and digging them out under chaos, has elite hands, hand eye and positioning. These traits should all age well and we may not see a drop off in production before the contract ends. And as other have said, he should be able to transition the wing if necessary
