The last time John Tavares was drafted 1st overall he was a 14 year old wunderkind who was granted exceptional player status. The Oshawa Generals, coming off a 15 win season finished at the bottom of the OHL giving them the opportunity to draft Tavares. They won 18 games the next season.
See where i'm going here.
That first season with the Generals had a roster consisting of 1 current NHL'er (Cal Clutterbuck) and 2 prospects with potential (Brett MacLean and Dale Mitchell). The rest was a rag tag bunch.
Tavares still produced and went on to win the CHL and OHL rookie of the year honors. But we are talking about the top level of hockey in the NHL and the Islanders decision to not add at least 1 proven veteran scorer or a NHL proven enforcer to police for Tavares is a questionable one.
It's the 2nd year of a 5 year plan, I understand that. I realize the intention is to peak when the team has a new arena, but there has to be progress. There has to be recognition and firm decisions with regards to what works and what doesn't work.
What works:
The Islanders. They always work hard, if not smart. I am tough on Scott Gordon to a point but I also respect the fact that he can motivate and his team always works hard. It's that smart thing that needs to be worked on, but then again this is the roster he was given.
What doesn't work:
As of right now, the system. Gordons' aggresive forechecking system could be successful, but his insistence to force it upon a team that is neither skilled nor fast enough to perform it effectively needs to be looked at.
Brendan Witt is a -44 in 75 games under Gordon.
You either have to change the players or change/adjust the system. This is Gordons 2nd year, the organization knew this system was going to be played and they gave him exactly one player to add to that, John Tavares. Matt Moulson was a suprise and they should be commended for signing him, but there is no way he was considered on their NHL depth chart before camp.
In closing, I understand a playoff spot is a longshot. But the last I looked there are still fans paying money to see the Islanders. There needs to be progress, and it can't be measured by 40 minutes of playing good hockey. If it's broke and it's not working then you have to fix it.
Links:
Upon further review
Off day before Rangers
Halak's hot hand ices Price
Habs play down to Isles' level
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