Some guy, Idk. Loves dogs I heard.
- B2B76

He definitely likes DOGHOUSES!!!!!!!!!!!!

STamkos had 46 points his rookie season and was a -13. How did he destroy the league? He also potted 23 goals (less than Tavares)
- mighty13duck

His first year, under Melrose, he was terrible. But since then he has become the premier sniper in the league. Melrose was fired like half way through the season. If he made it even that far.

What an absolutely idiotic blog...Oldest team, no youth, no leadership ? Henrik's gga will fall to 885% Sounds like your typical Ranger hater b.s Please the next time you blog ask someone with an I.Q to help you...
- tvalt

I question your IQ since you can't understand sarcasm.

Just my 2 cents on the whole 'elite-non elite' debate. Just remember that we are all Fans, short for fanatics. There is really no rationalizing when it comes to our teams. Trying to present a rational arguement for or against a fans opinion, as if you know better, is condescending and IMO foolish. It goes against the nature of being a fan. Also rememer that all things are not equal and there are so many differnet reason why thing happen the way they do. With that said:

I think JT is better then Nash but I would not make this trade based on the hole that would be left by losing a wing of that caliber combined with the knowledge that we get similar produciton, number wise, from our teams first line center.

His first year, under Melrose, he was terrible. But since then he has become the premier sniper in the league. Melrose was fired like half way through the season. If he made it even that far.
- DONMURDOCH14

16 games

Wow, the only thing I've been saying over and over is, Tavares is NOT in the same class as Crosby, Stammer, Ovie. He hasn't done what they've done, nor what they continue to do. He has done wonderful things for the Isles, but people are way too quick to put him into a category he has not yet earned. Ryan Nugent Hopkins, Taylor Hall, would you call anyone one of them Elite top tier players in the game? I wouldn't. They certainly have the goods, but just not the resume yet. Again, I consider Tavares one of the top 10 Centers in the league. Not one of the top 5 Overall Elite players in the game.

Do you consider Claude Giroux in the top tier NHL Elite? I don't yet. I hold Giroux and Tavares on the same level almost exactly. Both players have done pretty much the same in the league so far in their early careers. Giroux has done even a little more. Both still have to prove that they can do what they've done over 4-5 seasons. I think thats a fair judgement sample size. Come to think of it, I will say that IMO, an NHL player shouldn't be considered among the top Elite until they have produced in the Elite category for at least 5 years. I think Consistency is a very difficult thing to master at the NHL level and until a player shows that, I don't consider them Elite. You guys can all disagree with me, but it falls into the same thinking pattern as not giving out huge contracts to kids coming of ELCs. We complain all the time that GMs are giving too much out to young 22-23 year old players that have had 1 or 2 good seasons. Then with the same breath we say a young player like Tavares who has had 2 good seasons is one of the best players in the world. Tavares is in that "bridge" status where all eyes are on him. If he can do what he has done for 1-2 more years, then thats when I label him as one of the top players in the world.
- xcheckmajor

well i guess that's where we're way off because i definitely consider giroux, tavares, and hall to all be elite players in the nhl.

it's not all about stats. it's about skating, hands, vision, playmaking, skills, talent, making others around you better, and a lot more than just goals, assists, and plus/minus.

clearly, you don't think a guy like toews is elite because he's put up even less numbers than tavares.

In Steps case, yes I never once said he was an Elite player. He has the best potential on the Rangers to become Elite, but yes I think he has a few more years to prove he can produce at 1ppg level. Stamkos is a little different. When I look at Giroux, Tavares, Stepan, players like them have achieved what they have through a growing process. All of these guys came into the league playing well, with respectable 1st year numbers. Tavares definitely had good 1st and 2nd year numbers. Stamkos came into the league at DESTROYED IT. He LED the league in goal scoring. He has LED the league in overall goals the past 3 years. Thats a different story. Stamkos didn't start scoring 20, then 30, then 50. With Stammer, there is no room for guessing his goal scoring ability, he's done it every single year he's played. With Stepan, and Tavares (and I admit, Tavares is 1 year closer but he's also had 1 more year to play) they been on the rise every year and only hit this level (1ppg) in their recent seasons. I have every belief that JT is on the right path and will be considered one of the top 5 players in the league. I just reserve pinning the award on him, until he gives us absolutely no reason to doubt. Based on his past numbers, I still think it is very possible that JT only scores 75pts. this next year. Its not something thats out of the question. But again to address Stammer, there is 0 doubt that he will continue to score goals in the top 5 players of the league 45+ every year. If he doesn't, it will be the anomally in his statbook. If JT scores only 75pt. this next year, it wouldn't be as much as a shock. A little disappointing, but not outrageous.
- xcheckmajor

i don't think stamkos scores 45+ every year if brad boyes is feeding him the puck the rest of his career.

who are your top 10 forwards in the nhl?

16 games
- mrhattrick27

Probably the best moment of his TB coaching career

Probably the best moment of his TB coaching career
- pcjr307

didn't he say that stamkos will never succeed as a goal scorer in the nhl?

STamkos had 46 points his rookie season and was a -13. How did he destroy the league? He also potted 23 goals (less than Tavares)
- mighty13duck

Okay, thanks for pointing that out. Stamkos still has had 4 years of basically being a top 3 goal scorer in th league. Thats still DOUBLE the resume of Tavares even scoring 1 point per game. Just for perspective, you have 1 player thats played for 4 years. 2 years he's had decent numbers. 2 years he's had great (not exceptional) numbers. The other player has played for 5 years. 1 year he's had good goals numbers

I think many of you forgot the growing pains Tavares had. Did you all forget the comments about him his first 2 years? There were even pro analysts that had some doubts and reservations about whether he would live up to the huge hype that was labeled on him when he went 1st overall. JT was compared to being the next Crosby when he was drafted. It wasn't until his 3rd year that people were saying okay JT is turning into a star for the Isles.

Okay, thanks for pointing that out. Stamkos still has had 4 years of basically being a top 3 goal scorer in th league. Thats still DOUBLE the resume of Tavares even scoring 1 point per game. Just for perspective, you have 1 player thats played for 4 years. 2 years he's had decent numbers. 2 years he's had great (not exceptional) numbers. The other player has played for 5 years. 1 year he's had good goals numbers

I think many of you forgot the growing pains Tavares had. Did you all forget the comments about him his first 2 years? There were even pro analysts that had some doubts and reservations about whether he would live up to the huge hype that was labeled on him when he went 1st overall. JT was compared to being the next Crosby when he was drafted. It wasn't until his 3rd year that people were saying okay JT is turning into a star for the Isles.
- xcheckmajor

Are there 10 forwards in the league that you would take over John Tavares right now?

Are there 10 forwards in the league that you would take over John Tavares right now?
- Pete V

He'd probably take Richards and brassard over JT

i don't think stamkos scores 45+ every year if brad boyes is feeding him the puck the rest of his career.

who are your top 10 forwards in the nhl?
- rangerdanger94

My Top 10 Forwards:

1. Crosby
2. Malkin
3. Datsyuk
4. Ovechkin
5. H. Sedin
6. St. Louis
7. Stamkos
8. N. Backstrom
9. J. Thorton
10. D. Sedin

Tavares for me would be in the top of the next 10 players. Another year or 2 of his current production would send him into the to 10 for me and Joe Thorton would probably fall out due to his age and slow decline.

My Top 10 Forwards:

1. Crosby
2. Malkin
3. Datsyuk
4. Ovechkin
5. H. Sedin
6. St. Louis
7. Stamkos
8. N. Backstrom
9. J. Thorton
10. D. Sedin

Tavares for me would be in the top of the next 10 players. Another year or 2 of his current production would send him into the to 10 for me and Joe Thorton would probably fall out due to his age and slow decline.
- xcheckmajor

You're making yourself look bad, just stop

Are there 10 forwards in the league that you would take over John Tavares right now?
- Pete V

I also use Team Canada projections as another example. Regardless of how well he plays between now and January, at this particular point in time, which is what we are talking about, every analyst and report has hinted towards Tavares being forced to play Wing, and even in the bottom 6. If he is one of the top 5 players in the world only behind Crosby, Malkin and Datsyuk, how is he not one of the main anchors predicted for Team Canada?

You're making yourself look bad, just stop
- NYI44

How do you figure? Who do you think doesn't belong there? And before you answer, how about you look at their career stats and compare them to Tavares first.

My Top 10 Forwards:

1. Crosby
2. Malkin
3. Datsyuk
4. Ovechkin
5. H. Sedin
6. St. Louis
7. Stamkos
8. N. Backstrom
9. J. Thorton
10. D. Sedin

Tavares for me would be in the top of the next 10 players. Another year or 2 of his current production would send him into the to 10 for me and Joe Thorton would probably fall out due to his age and slow decline.
- xcheckmajor

Backstrom shouldn't be considered top 20. And I was laughed at for calling you a homer

How do you figure? Who do you think doesn't belong there? And before you answer, how about you look at their career stats and compare them to Tavares first.
- xcheckmajor

It's not about stats and backstom is not a top player in the league. AND Stamkos is better than St Louis and is definitely a top 3 player.

Backstrom shouldn't be considered top 20. And I was laughed at for calling you a homer
- mighty13duck

I didn't name 1 Ranger up there. And Backstrom isn't top 20? This is his 6 years in the NHL:

82GP 69pts
82GP 88pts
82GP 101pts
77GP 65pts
42GP 44pts
48GP 48pts

413GP 415ppts.

Sure he isn't even top 20. And you think I'm a homer.

How do you figure? Who do you think doesn't belong there? And before you answer, how about you look at their career stats and compare them to Tavares first.
- xcheckmajor

no toews?

thornton hasn't scored over 80 points in 4 years. and backstrom?

I didn't name 1 Ranger up there. And Backstrom isn't top 20? This is his 6 years in the NHL:

82GP 69pts
82GP 88pts
82GP 101pts
77GP 65pts
42GP 44pts
48GP 48pts

413GP 415ppts.

Sure he isn't even top 20. And you think I'm a homer.
- xcheckmajor

Your a homer because you refuse to give JT any credit. Putting up points does not mean you are the best in the league. He plays next to Ovechkin. Look at PA and Moulsons numbers next to JT are they top 20 in the league no? Sometimes just being the linemate of a star pads your stats. See Boyes last year

I didn't name 1 Ranger up there. And Backstrom isn't top 20? This is his 6 years in the NHL:

82GP 69pts
82GP 88pts
82GP 101pts
77GP 65pts
42GP 44pts
48GP 48pts

413GP 415ppts.

Sure he isn't even top 20. And you think I'm a homer.
- xcheckmajor

backstrom has ovechkin netting 30-65 goals a season on his wing....seriously dude do you not realize what playing with talent like that does to your scores?

so kunitz and dupuis are elite wingers because they light it up with crosby centering them?

Backstrom shouldn't be considered top 20. And I was laughed at for calling you a homer
- mighty13duck

I think Backstrom and St. Louis are very talented but for me personally I would take Toews, Kopitar, Zetterberg or Tavares over those 2. Just my opinion.

I didn't name 1 Ranger up there. And Backstrom isn't top 20? This is his 6 years in the NHL:

82GP 69pts
82GP 88pts
82GP 101pts
77GP 65pts
42GP 44pts
48GP 48pts

413GP 415ppts.

Sure he isn't even top 20. And you think I'm a homer.
- xcheckmajor

Backstrom is a great player, but those numbers are heavily influenced by the fact that he played with the greatest sniper in the world during those time periods. What numbers do you think Tavares would have if he had Ovechkin on his wing?

I think if the league just started from scratch, and you had a draft of all current NHL players, Tavares would go in the Top 5 picks, possibly as high as number 2 or 3.

This whole thread sucks asssssssssssssss right now.