Woah...your boy is amazing, but don't hit the pipe this early in the morning.
- stashu

He was top 2 last year before his injury. I don't think you understand just how good he is? Maybe you will now that you guys are paying a little more attention to the Islanders these days? With that said there's nothing wrong with a wake and bake.

Here's a question to hopefully end this nonsense: would you rather have the "off" JT and be in the position we're in now or would you rather have the "on" JT and have 15 points and be in 6th or 7th place?
- potvin05

I read somewhere on twitter last night that the isles didn't get their 12th win of the season last year until December 29th

He was top 2 last year before his injury. I don't think you understand just how good he is? Maybe you will now that you guys are paying a little more attention to the Islanders these days? With that said there's nothing wrong with a wake and bake.
- Cptmjl

I'm fairly certain he was (frank)ing with you.

I'm fairly certain he was (frank)ing with you.
- potvin05

Nah. There was truth in his jest which he will deny now. No biggie either way.

He's coming off a major injury. I don't know what many people expected. When the injury first occurred I wondered if he'd even be ready by October.

The guy has been drawing penalties left-and-right, even though he's "only" averaging a point a night. We're winning 2-out-of-every-3 games with an "off" Tavares. How can anyone see a problem with this?

He's going to need to time to rebuild the explosiveness of his knee, pre-injury, and the fact you have guys like Nelson, Strome, Grabovski, Nielsen, etc. picking up the slack is even BETTER than being the "one-line team" we so often bemoaned around here the last few years.
- potvin05

It was not a major injury. It was a grade II MCL sprain, which is a partial tear. The recovery time for which is 3-8 weeks. It required no surgery.

Nah. There was truth in his jest which he will deny now. No biggie either way.
- Cptmjl

Considering he finished 2nd in the Hart Trophy voting 2 years ago and was amongst the league leaders in points before the injury, I don't see how anyone could really refute what you were saying and I think he was just going with the theme of this thread.

In related news, someone saw a grimace on Griffin Reinhart's face at the last Bridgeport game. He wants out.

Just got back from game nice win a few thoughts. Grabovski is a very good player great forechecker always on the puck and forces turnovers. He does not see the ice enough in my opinion. DeHaan is becoming the Islanders best defenseman. He is always in position makes great decisions with the puck and is a great skater. He's the guy I want on the opposing teams top line. A pleasure to watch. On the negative JT Okposo and Hickey looked pretty bad tonight. Lots of giveaways and bad puck decisions. It's great to see the team winning despite the two best players struggling a bit, but hey a win is a win.

LETS GO ISLANDERS
- 19inarow

Very nice win and impressive how the team is winning without the top line really getting going. Watching Hickey though was making me want to see Reinhart or Pulock.

It was not a major injury. It was a grade II MCL sprain, which is a partial tear. The recovery time for which is 3-8 weeks. It required no surgery.
- eichiefs9

You say tomato, I say tomatoe.

It's silly to think he'll just bounce back from that check. Physically or mentally.

Considering he finished 2nd in the Hart Trophy voting 2 years ago and was amongst the league leaders in points before the injury, I don't see how anyone could really refute what you were saying and I think he was just going with the theme of this thread.

In related news, someone saw a grimace on Griffin Reinhart's face at the last Bridgeport game. He wants out.
- potvin05

No, no jest at all. Just find it funny that someone who has never been in the top 5, and only once I think in the last 5 years in the top 10, is being tossed around as if he'll be top 5 this year.

Again, it's just being a stickler on it, it's not knocking Tavares in any way, the kid is awesome.

Considering he finished 2nd in the Hart Trophy voting 2 years ago and was amongst the league leaders in points before the injury, I don't see how anyone could really refute what you were saying and I think he was just going with the theme of this thread.

In related news, someone saw a grimace on Griffin Reinhart's face at the last Bridgeport game. He wants out.
- potvin05

i don't agree.

Edit; ^

Very nice win and impressive how the team is winning without the top line really getting going. Watching Hickey though was making me want to see Reainhart or Pulock.
- ses111

Hickey is who he is. I'd rather Reinhart or Pulock come up and play in a top 4 spot though and not at the 5-6 pairing.

No, no jest at all. Just find it funny that someone who has never been in the top 5, and only once I think in the last 5 years in the top 10, is being tossed around as if he'll be top 5 this year.

Again, it's just being a stickler on it, it's not knocking Tavares in any way, the kid is awesome.
- stashu

Didn't Tavares finish 2nd in points the year of the lockout? He was top 5 last year before the injury, too.

Wow: not even close. He did finish 2nd in the Hart voting that year though.

i don't agree.

Edit; ^
- Cptmjl

Yeah, lol, sorry, I guess.

Very nice win and impressive how the team is winning without the top line really getting going. Watching Hickey though was making me want to see Reainhart or Pulock.
- ses111

I'm fine with developing those two slowly especially with the team playing the way it is.

Didn't Tavares finish 2nd in points the year of the lockout? He was top 5 last year before the injury, too.
- potvin05

I believe he was a few points behind Crosby right before his injury.

I'm fine with developing those two slowly.
- Cptmjl

I'm fine with it. Let them stay and develop. Team is winning.

I think most aren't complaining. I for one am not just saying he doesn't look like his normal dominant self and he is good for a couple more defensive gaffs then normal. He looks a little off at times.
- Cptmjl

yup, fully agree. He shows moments where he looks like he did last year before his injury and then moments where he seems to be tentative and frustrated. I'm not sure if its just mental at this point or if playing with okposo just isn't working well so far, but he looks a little off. Not a major issue, but it's something i've noticed as well.

**I'm not saying it's a cause for major concern, and i'm sure he'll get back to being himself but the frustration is what bothers me. He's clearly not happy with his own play and he's also making some really really bad decisions that have resulted in turnovers. He's never been a good defensive player, but some of the drop passes have been...horrid decisions. will see how he is in january but the good thing is that the team is deep enough to provide a lot of secondary scoring and grabner is almost back as well**

yup, fully agree. He shows moments where he looks like he did last year before his injury and then moments where he seems to be tentative and frustrated. I'm not sure if its just mental at this point or if playing with okposo just isn't working well so far, but he looks a little off. Not a major issue, but it's something i've noticed as well.

**I'm not saying it's a cause for major concern, and i'm sure he'll get back to being himself but the frustration is what bothers me. He's clearly not happy with his own play and he's also making some really really bad decisions that have resulted in turnovers. He's never been a good defensive player, but some of the drop passes have been...horrid decisions. will see how he is in january but the good thing is that the team is deep enough to provide a lot of secondary scoring and grabner is almost back as well**
- Isles_since_6

He's never been a great defensive player correct but to me he has never made some glaring, terrible defensive plays either. He's made quite a few lately. Like you said it's not a complaint(before one of you jackasses jumps down my throat )it's an observation and also like you said he will be back to completely taking over games in no time IMO. He showed some of his elite level yesterday and then committed that terrible turnover shortly after.

He's never been a great defensive player correct but to me he has never made some glaring, terrible defensive plays either. He's made quite a few lately. Like you said it's not a complaint(before one of you jackasses jumps down my throat )it's an observation and also like you said he will be back to completely taking over games in no time IMO. He showed some of his elite level yesterday and then committed that terrible turnover shortly after.
- Cptmjl

Stop complaining Jeez!!

Stop complaining Jeez!!
- Vukota

You stop complaining. (frank)ing racist.

Stop complaining Jeez!!
- Vukota

Did anyone else notice Stamkos make Okposo look like a pilon on that one play last night? Guy is ridiculous.

Did anyone else notice Stamkos make Okposo look like a pilon on that one play last night? Guy is ridiculous.
- Cptmjl

What is a Stamkos?

What is a Stamkos?
- eichiefs9

monkey

Didn't Tavares finish 2nd in points the year of the lockout? He was top 5 last year before the injury, too.

Wow: not even close. He did finish 2nd in the Hart voting that year though.
- potvin05

yes