HellasLEAF
'93 to Infinity
- Sep 14, 2006
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I was just about to post about his faceoff wins. He is dominating on key faceoffs. Solid effort all around from JT with a clutch goal to boot.
Tavares
- Thread starter BrannigansLaw
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I was just about to post about his faceoff wins. He is dominating on key faceoffs. Solid effort all around from JT with a clutch goal to boot.
TopProspect91
Registered Abuser
Tavares has been noticeably faster since coming back from quarantine. Some of you paint him out to be the second coming of Jason Allison, but I really do think the oblique injury he had over the summer held him back this year.
The Iceman
Registered User
- Sep 22, 2007
- 5,267
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JT is a team leader, captain, lead by example guy. Hard to play against, strong defensively, reliable scorer, plays a premium position, great on draws.
YUP, worth the $$$ we are paying him
YUP, worth the $$$ we are paying him
Thought JT played much better today. I was genuinely surprised when he put on the after burners on that break away. Didn't know he had that kind of speed in him.
Top 6 as a whole looked better. Still want to see a bit more from Marner but he had a better game as well.
Top 6 as a whole looked better. Still want to see a bit more from Marner but he had a better game as well.
WillNy29
Registered User
- Jun 20, 2018
- 1,195
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Tavares and Willie cycled the CBJ to dust; literally put the opposition in a spin cycle when they were out there. Tavares was a beast and you can tell Willy feeds off of him and starts playing that cycle game too its absolutely beautiful to watch because Tavares was giving everything he had to create chances while not trading off his defensive responsibilities.
It has the secondary effect of making the rest of the team play balls to the wall watching their captain literally muscle through blue jackets to win. I even saw Willy dummy some jackets on the boards 'twas beautiful.
It has the secondary effect of making the rest of the team play balls to the wall watching their captain literally muscle through blue jackets to win. I even saw Willy dummy some jackets on the boards 'twas beautiful.
LeafChief
Matthew Knies Enthusiast
How f***ing dramatic. Almost a point-per-game this year and a career high last year.
Jimmy Firecracker
Backcheck, Forecheck, Paycheque.
He was fantastic tonight and got rewarded with that breakaway that he made no mistake on. He led by example which is exactly what you want from someone who wears the C.
LeafsNation75
Registered User
Obviously I was happy to see Tavares score a very important goal and after he scored I was wondering this. Did anyone expect him to score on a breakaway and when was the last time he did that?
fbalmeida
Registered User
Nice game from my Portuguese brother Johnny T.
Watching the game yesterday from across the atlantic, I was commenting with family on how his family name is actually mispronounced, which he does so himself.
They've always called him Tuh-VAR-iss, but it's actually more like Tah-VARS.
But he's like a 2nd generation Canadian so I imagine the correct phonetic pronunciation has been more or less lost since his grandparents.
I wanna see him make Tortorella's head explode in game 3.
Watching the game yesterday from across the atlantic, I was commenting with family on how his family name is actually mispronounced, which he does so himself.
They've always called him Tuh-VAR-iss, but it's actually more like Tah-VARS.
But he's like a 2nd generation Canadian so I imagine the correct phonetic pronunciation has been more or less lost since his grandparents.
I wanna see him make Tortorella's head explode in game 3.
Man Bear Pig
Registered User
Tavares is pretty slow so if you're asking when the last time he did that I'd have no idea. It's just not his game.
Well he sure shut me up. He was a beast last night.
BodaciousBeefBazooka
Go Leafs Go
Easy scapegoat because of his captaincy and substantial contract. Lighten the hell up. This team has other deep down underlying issues.
He was mediocre all last season and looked like crap in Game 1.
Learn that criticism is sometimes warranted as much as praise
BodaciousBeefBazooka
Go Leafs Go
What will your criticism warrant? Physiological venting and relief? I doubt anybody with high power in the NHL is reading your criticism and inevitably taking action.
The Iceman
Registered User
- Sep 22, 2007
- 5,267
- 3,970
34 goals pro-rated from the centre position is NOT mediocre.
leafsfuture
Registered User
- Mar 30, 2008
- 6,134
- 183
The biggest thing against Tavares is that he plays on the same team as maybe the second most talented center in the world (not best but pure talent). So his choppy stride and more subtle skillset will be criticized just because of that
It is for him. He was much better last season. To be fair, he looked a lot like the Tavares from last year last night so I hope he keeps it up obviously
One of the best games he's played in a Leafs uniform, absolutely one of the best in the playoffs. He was tremendous all night. So happy that he buried that one, Korpisalo was getting into his head.
I think the break was so big for him. Letting him recover from his injuries, spending some time with his family and new child, and just getting more used to the idea of being Captain of the Leafs. I think we're going to see him having good games from here on out. Even in game 1 where his line struggled, I thought he was at least okay and miles better than he was most of the season.
I think the break was so big for him. Letting him recover from his injuries, spending some time with his family and new child, and just getting more used to the idea of being Captain of the Leafs. I think we're going to see him having good games from here on out. Even in game 1 where his line struggled, I thought he was at least okay and miles better than he was most of the season.
qqaz
Think Happy Thoughts
- Oct 25, 2018
- 2,210
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That's a great point. The fans and media will always have Matthews to compare him to, and that's tough for him. He's a smarts and strength type player, not speed and finesse. Tavares willl be more under the radar, while Matthews will be in the running for awards.
I'm sure he's fine with it. But it'll mean he's appreciated a bit less than if he was the only star, like he was back with NYI.
My favorite current Leaf. There, I said it.
Strangle
Leafs Smol PP
- May 4, 2009
- 9,769
- 7,006
I don’t understand complaining about Tavares. The Leafs have issues, Tavares is not one of them.
He is still incredibly consistent, sometimes he can do more, sometimes he has an off game, but it’s almost like complaining about Sundin. You know what you’re getting night in and night out.
Tavares is probably the last player on the team I would think to criticize
He is still incredibly consistent, sometimes he can do more, sometimes he has an off game, but it’s almost like complaining about Sundin. You know what you’re getting night in and night out.
Tavares is probably the last player on the team I would think to criticize
JT isn’t a speed demon but he’s really not that slow. He’s capable of blowing through the neutral zone and by a few players so long as he keeps his feet moving. What he doesn’t have is great acceleration.
At the same time, he really doesn’t need the speed to be everywhere on the ice defensively because he’s usually at precisely the area of the ice where he’s supposed to be thanks to his high IQ.
People want a burner who’s also physical, will grind and score some dirty goals. The player also needs to have a strong shot, quick release, a great backhand and soft hands. Too bad I can’t think of any player in the league that fits that description other than Crosby.
LeafsNation75
Registered User
Who knows what would have happened if Matthews did not miss 14 games in Tavares first season in Toronto. However despite that we still saw Tavares score 47 goals with Matthews also being on the team.
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
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I don't think Tavares is actually that consistent... I actually find that even with the second, back check, puckhandling, effort, etc. there's quite a gap between a good game and a bad one.
But in any case, I think the original intent is for him to come in and be a two headed monster with Matthews, and the concern is whether he can bring $11 million in value to the team. In a flat cap, it's going to be a real juggling act.
LeafsNation75
Registered User
To be fair when Tavares signed in Toronto no one was expecting to see a flat cap because of a global pandemic thanks to Covid-19 and wasn't it expected to go way up if that never happened?
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