Confirmed with Link: Tavares to Toronto (7 years, $11M AAV)

[The Masters]

 

[nystromshairstylist]

I would have to argue against Tavares being the primary reason for your last-place GA.

What's the expression, statistics don't lie but statisticians do? I think if you queried most NYI fans who saw a lot of their games they'd agree he's not very good defensively, stats aside. His foot speed is really slow but makes up for it with quick hands. When he, lee and bailey were out there, well it was often a trainwreck. While not the most informational stat, take a look at JT's, Bailey and Lee's +/-.

New York Islanders 2017-18 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com

 

[nystromshairstylist]

lol talk about sour grapes.

I think by now my posts should make clear I'm neither emotional or confrontational, I am only speaking from experience having watched him for almost 10 years.

He WILL make the TML a much better team, but he has liabilities that will accentuate the leafs' defensive deficiencies. The NYI had the worst D and goaltending in the league, but if you watched most of the Isles' games last year you'd have seen what I'm referring to.

 

[Leafsman]

What's the expression, statistics don't lie but statisticians do? I think if you queried most NYI fans who saw a lot of their games they'd agree he's not very good defensively, stats aside. His foot speed is really slow but makes up for it with quick hands. When he, lee and bailey were out there, well it was often a trainwreck. While not the most informational stat, take a look at JT's, Bailey and Lee's +/-.

New York Islanders 2017-18 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com

Now wouldn't be the best time to poll NYI fans for an unbiased opinion on John Tavares.

 

[nystromshairstylist]

This short clip encapsulates well what you're getting, a brilliant offensive talent with amazing hands, but is slow as heck. Look how slow he reacts and gets to the puck behind the net, but then recovers to make a nice deke to score.

 

[TopG]

Now wouldn't be the best time to poll NYI fans for an unbiased opinion on John Tavares.

Lol yes NYI fans, please tell me right now about JT. I’ve never seen such classless fans

 

[Leaf4Life79]

This is still so surreal to me. Can't believe this actually happened.

Feels Good, Man!

 

[nystromshairstylist]

Now wouldn't be the best time to poll NYI fans for an unbiased opinion on John Tavares.

LOL, probably not.

Its just unfortunate how this whole debacle occurred, the fans deserved better and I think he made the decision for a very legit reason - family proximity and the chance ala lebron, to play for his hometown club he worshipped as a child.

 

[Leafsman]

This short clip encapsulates well what you're getting, a brilliant offensive talent with amazing hands, but is slow as heck. Look how slow he reacts and gets to the puck behind the net, but then recovers to make a nice deke to score.

We have players who are more than fast enough to make up for any "slowness" JT may have.

 

[Leaf4Life79]

LOL, probably not.

Its just unfortunate how this whole debacle occurred, the fans deserved better and I think he made the decision for a very legit reason - family proximity and the chance ala lebron, to play for his hometown club he worshipped as a child.

I think it goes way deeper then that... like what WAS NOT picked up for the NYI at trade deadline etc. could have have potentially swung his destination? unlikely, friggin guy has been a LEAF all of his life! WOOOO!!!!

 

[Leafsdude7]

What's the expression, statistics don't lie but statisticians do? I think if you queried most NYI fans who saw a lot of their games they'd agree he's not very good defensively, stats aside. His foot speed is really slow but makes up for it with quick hands. When he, lee and bailey were out there, well it was often a trainwreck. While not the most informational stat, take a look at JT's, Bailey and Lee's +/-.

As a Leaf fan, I feel a bit hypocritical asking this, but perhaps, just speculating here, your atrocious, ugly, and preposterous blueline and goaltending was the primary reason for your GA? As bad as Tavares and co might have been defensively (and maybe they were, I don't know), they're but three players on a team of 19 (and in probably more cases than wanted, 20). I have a hard time believing that they were the reason for such a bad team stat.

 

[Leaf4Life79]

I think it goes way deeper then that... like what WAS NOT picked up for the NYI at trade deadline etc. could have have potentially swung his destination? unlikely, friggin guy has been a LEAF all of his life! WOOOO!!!!

This is like Gilmour coming to the team all over to me again, except it's totally different this time. =P

 

[bentharbs]

Feels just as good 6 beers deep.

...Probably better.

 

[diceman934]

I think by now my posts should make clear I'm neither emotional or confrontational, I am only speaking from experience having watched him for almost 10 years.

He WILL make the TML a much better team, but he has liabilities that will accentuate the leafs' defensive deficiencies. The NYI had the worst D and goaltending in the league, but if you watched most of the Isles' games last year you'd have seen what I'm referring to.

Lol you used plus minus of proof... which is useless. His play with a piss poor team will be useless here as he will be playing with far better quality line mates and not facing top shut down lines every game. Context is your friend.

 

[Leafsman]

This short clip encapsulates well what you're getting, a brilliant offensive talent with amazing hands, but is slow as heck. Look how slow he reacts and gets to the puck behind the net, but then recovers to make a nice deke to score.

This long clip encapsulates what we're getting.

I can just imagine Marner on his wing in some of these situations. Or a Nylander/marleau combo. JT picks up pucks in some impossible areas and finds tons of room. Getting set up by Marner will just take that to a whole new level.

 

[Bigmarycombo]

hFBoards

Before Tavares signing
Tavares is a top ten player in the league
After the signing
Tavares is slow and not good defensively

 

[Clark4Ever]

Still buzzing!

 

[SprDaVE]

 

[The Best Leafs Ever]

We have players who are more than fast enough to make up for any "slowness" JT may have.

I mean he can’t be slower than Kadri, can he? Also he has never worked under our skating staff which is very well known. He would be just fine. He won’t be the fastest guy out there but we don’t need him to be fast.

We need Tavares to provide franchise esque offense and he would do just that. Let’s just be happy to have a PPG franchise centre for free. Woooohooooo!

 

[Leafsdude7]

This is like Gilmour coming to the team all over to me again, except it's totally different this time. =P

Yeah, all we hand to do was give up money.

...

...

...Oh, wait, no. It's the same.

 

[Tonka]

Take this in...

This is the first time Tavares will have a legit star winger to play on his line. Marner, and heck, maybe even Marleau.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Reilly just RTd this on twitter.

NSFW

John Tavares drinks Islander tears

 

[Leaf4Life79]

Yeah, all we hand to do was give up money.

...

...

...Oh, wait, no. It's the same.

LOL!

 

[Gary Nylund]

I mean he can’t be slower than Kadri, can he? Also he has never worked under our skating staff which is very well known. He would be just fine. He won’t be the fastest guy out there but we don’t need him to be fast.

We need Tavares to provide franchise esque offense and he would do just that. Let’s just be happy to have a PPG franchise centre for free. Woooohooooo!

OK, you talked me into it. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

 

[Leaf4Life79]

OK, you talked me into it. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Signed, Sealed, Delivered!