John Tavares News: Pro Sports Daily

Islanders hope Lightning strikes again as draft god John Tavares sputters along Stamkos' trail

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March 17

Vancouver Sun

"When Matt Moulson looks at housemate John Tavares, he doesn't see a golden child struggling to grasp the stardom being shovelled towards him. He sees a kid he has known for years who remains singularly driven to being among the best, and soon will be in the National Hockey League. Tuesday provided a pretty good preview. Tavares had five points in the New York Islanders' 5-2 reality check against the Vancouver Canucks. It was his first NHL game in Vancouver. So, how do you like him so far? "I sure hoped it was coming," Tavares said after the best night of his rookie season. "It's nice when everything starts to click, starts to go in. It feels good. I knew I proved myself early on in the ..."

John Tavares is left out of Calder talk

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March 14

Toronto Star

"When defenceman Tyler Myers contributed a goal and three assists in the Buffalo Sabres 5-3 win over Dallas on Wednesday, it thrust him squarely into the NHL's rookie the year debate along with Colorado's Matt Duchene. Across New York state, in Uniondale, the Islanders' John Tavares once found himself in the same company, but a two-month slump has essentially taken the former first-overall pick out of the discussion, despite a strong showing in the his first 30 games of the season. Tavares, who faces the Leafs here tonight, is aware of the public's perception. He's been under a microscope since he was 13, so any opinion of significance rarely escapes his attention. "It's hard to ignore, ..."

Islanders' Victory Over the Lightning Keeps Tavares Happy in His Goal-Scoring Drought

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February 14

New York Times

"John Tavares, the Islanders' 19-year-old center, has not scored a goal in 13 games, or four long weeks, but who is counting? The drought did not seem to matter as much to him Saturday as a hard-earned 5-4 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tavares, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 N.H.L. draft, had two chances to score in a game that included 75 shots on goal, but his backhand sailed wide of the net, and Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman, the No. 2 choice in the draft, broke up an odd-man rush. Tavares, his blue undershirt drenched with perspiration after the game, said he was not tired or discouraged. He is getting scoring chances. He assisted Kyle Okposo on a second-period goal ..."

Tavares focusing on strong finish

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February 14

New York Post

"John Tavares and Steve Stamkos both grew up outside of Toronto, played on the same summer team that lost just once in four years, were opponents in juniors and No. 1 picks the last two years. That, however, is where the similarities end. While Stamkos shook off a slow start with Tampa Bay last season and scored 17 of his 23 goals in his last 28 games, Tavares started quickly this year, but has just two goals since Dec. 9. "When you go through a whole year and you come into the next one knowing what to expect, that's an advantage," said Tavares, whose Islanders play host to the Lightning today at the Coliseum (2 p.m.; MSG Plus; WHLI, 1100 AM). "He had a great second half last year and now ..."

Tavares focusing on strong finish

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February 13

New York Post

"John Tavares and Steve Stamkos both grew up outside of Toronto, played on the same summer team that lost just once in four years, were opponents in juniors and No. 1 picks the last two years. That, however, is where the similarities end. While Stamkos shook off a slow start with Tampa Bay last season and scored 17 of his 23 goals in his last 28 games, Tavares started quickly this year, but has just two goals since Dec. 9. "When you go through a whole year and you come into the next one knowing what to expect, that's an advantage," said Tavares, whose Islanders play host to the Lightning today at the Coliseum (2 p.m.; MSG Plus; WHLI, 1100 AM). "He had a great second half last year and now ..."

Martin Biron, John Tavares guide Islanders to 4-3 win over Predators to end losing streak

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February 10

New York Daily News

"Biron did his part in a presumed showcase start for a potential trade Tuesday night, helping the Isles halt their season-long losing streak at seven games in his first start of 2010. Mark Streit's 6-on-4 power play goal with Biron pulled for an extra skater with 11.1 seconds remaining in regulation forced overtime, before the forgotten third-string goalie backed the Isles to a stirring 4-3 shootout win over Nashville at the Coliseum. "I don't think you could've asked for a better performance (from Biron)," coach Scott Gordon said. "The guy deserves a better fate than what he's had this year." Bruno Gervais and Freddy Meyer also scored, while slumping rookie John Tavares, who has two goals ..."

Crosby can relate to Islanders' Tavares

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February 10

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Penguins' Sidney Crosby knows, much better than most, what John Tavares of the New York Islanders is going through this winter. Both broke into the NHL as teenagers and as the centerpiece of a youth movement designed to rejuvenate their respective franchises. And from what Crosby has seen of Tavares, who will lead the Islanders into Mellon Arena tonight for a game against the Penguins, he believes Tavares is up to the challenges before him. "He's got a great shot," Crosby said Tuesday. "He sees the ice really well. He's big. He's strong. [With] his work ethic, and seeing how much he cares, he's only going to get better." Tavares entered the Islanders' game Tuesday night against ..."

Isles' Tavares looks for more

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January 18

New York Post

"John Tavares skated yesterday in a Team USA jersey, the result of a bet he lost to Doug Weight when the Americans beat Canada in the junior World Championships last month. It could have been worse, since Tavares had just come off a game in which he snapped a streak of nine straight games without a goal. "It was nice to get one early," Tavares said after yesterday's practice at Nassau Coliseum, where the Isles will host the Devils today. "I'd have liked to have finished a few more chances though." Such is life for a top overall pick who is used to scoring goals almost at will. But his veteran teammates think the occasional trouble Tavares has had this year will eventually pay off. "It's ..."

Avalanche's heralded rookie Duchene takes on Islanders'counterpart Tavares

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January 6

Denver Post

"Just as Carmelo Anthony, the No. 3 NBA draft pick in 2003, will always view No. 1 pick LeBron James, Matt Duchene likely will feel toward the New York Islanders' John Tavares. Duchene and Tavares are this year's Nos. 3 and 1 NHL picks, respectively. These are friendly feuds — Anthony-James, Duchene-Tavares — and one will be on display tonight at the Pepsi Center when Duchene, the Avalanche's rookie center, plays his first NHL game against Tavares and the Islanders. But don't expect any trash talking. "He's a buddy of mine," Duchene said. "We spent a lot of time together at the draft last summer, and he's a good guy. But of course I want to beat him and help our team get two big points." ..."

Tavares helps Islanders snap losing streak

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December 31

New York Post

"It's not exactly something Knute Rockne would approve of, but at least coach Scott Gordon isn't fooling himself. "We're in a situation where realistically, we've gotta aim for that eighth [playoff] spot and there's a lot of teams that are bunched in that area," Gordon said after a 3-1 win over Toronto snapped a three-game losing streak (and a stretch of four straight defeats at Nassau Coliseum). One of those teams is Toronto and another is the Rangers, who the Islanders face on Saturday. And for those games to wind up meaning anything, the Islanders need more performances like the one they got last night, especially on special teams. Perhaps more importantly, for the Islanders to become ..."

Isles' Tavares eyes rebound

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December 29

New York Post

"Garth Snow never doubted whom he would pick with the Islanders' top selection over the summer and John Tavares has made the Islanders' GM look good for much of his rookie season. Lately, however, the young center has seen his production slip significantly, as Tavares only has one point in his last eight games. But that's not a cause for concern for Snow. "He's 19 years old," Snow said of Tavares, who has 28 points (16 goals, 12 assists) in his first 40 games in the NHL heading into tonight's match against Columbus at the Coliseum. "Any time a young guy is going to come out of juniors or college hockey into this league, it's not going to be a seamless transition." Read more: ..."

Tavares helps Isles snap losing streak

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December 24

New York Post

"It's not exactly something Knute Rockne would approve of, but at least coach Scott Gordon isn't fooling himself. "We're in a situation where realistically, we've gotta aim for that eighth [playoff] spot and there's a lot of teams that are bunched in that area," Gordon said after a 3-1 win over Toronto snapped a three-game losing streak (and a stretch of four straight defeats at Nassau Coliseum). One of those teams is Toronto and another is the Rangers, who the Islanders face on Saturday. And for those games to wind up meaning anything, the Islanders need more performances like the one they got last night, especially on special teams. Perhaps more importantly, for the Islanders to become ..."

Tortorella fumes as New York Rangers can't muster offense in 2-1 loss to New York Islanders

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December 17

New York Daily News

"Dwayne Roloson accused his Islanders earlier in the week of mailing in an effort because they were looking ahead to playing the Rangers. So what exactly were the Rangers looking ahead to Wednesday night, Christmas dinner? Or was it golf in April? Thirty-three games into the season, the Rangers are on the fast track to oblivion, and they greased the wheels Wednesday night at the Garden in a punchless, passionless and ultimately pointless endeavor, a 2-1 loss to the Islanders in the opener of a pivotal home-and-home between the archrivals. The Rangers lost for the fifth consecutive time and the eighth time in nine games (1-6-2), and if they haven't yet hit rock bottom, there is always the ..."

Tavares Provides Glimpse Into Islanders’ Future

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December 17

New York Times

"John Tavares, the Islanders' star rookie, is probably going to have a long, successful career, and will play at Madison Square Garden many times. The Islanders made his first visit to the Garden a winning one Wednesday night, but the game was more likely to be remembered as one of the worst played there in some time. The Islanders' Dwayne Roloson allowed only a third-period goal to Enver Lisin. The Islanders beat the Rangers, 2-1, in a contest of remarkably low quality, a parade of missed shots and flubbed chances all around. Fans of both teams can only hope it won't be repeated when the teams meet again Thursday night in Uniondale. Both clubs are struggling, but the Rangers were ..."

Islanders waste Tavares' two-fer in loss to Flyers

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December 9

New York Post

"John Tavares scored both goals for the Islanders as they fell to the Flyers, 6-2, their second straight loss, and slipped into a last-place tie with the Flyers in the Atlantic Division. Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Claude Giroux scored two goals apiece as the Flyers posted their first win under former Isles coach Peter Laviolette. Tavares tried to rally the Islanders with a pair of second-period power-play goals that cut their deficit in half. His first was scored at 10:52. He made it 4-2 with his 13th of the season at 14:55. The Isles finished 2 of 8 on the power play."

Moulson lifts Isles

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December 4

New York Post

"Matt Moulson scored three goals and the Islanders snapped the Thrashers' four-game winning streak with a 4-1 victory last night. It was the first career hat trick for Moulson, who is in his third season in the NHL and first with the Islanders. Rookie forward John Tavares' 11th goal, scored into an empty net with 1 second remaining, made it 4-1. Moulson, who has a team-leading 14 goals and is tied with Tavares with a club-best 22 points, finished his hat trick at 13:09 of the third period to give the Isles a 3-1 edge. His other two goals came in the second period. The Thrashers scored first with Slava Kozlov beating Dwayne Roloson from in close for his fifth goal at 9:01 of the opening ..."

Isles find 'third' gear

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November 28

New York Post

"What a difference a game makes. After a shoddy third period cost the Islanders a win against the Flyers on Wednesday, they rebounded with one of their most complete final frames of the year yesterday, scoring twice in a 3-2 comeback win over the Penguins. "I think that was the best period of hockey we've played," goalie Dwayne Roloson said after John Tavares scored 13:48 into the third for the first game-winner of his young career. Just as important as that third period was the penalty kill the Isles had in the second. An interference penalty by Jack Hillen was followed barely a minute later by a double minor for high-sticking by Andy Sutton. With the Isles already trailing 2-1 against the ..."

Tavares lifts New York Islanders to come-from-behind win over Pittsburgh Penguins

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November 28

New York Daily News

"Scott Gordon was in a noticeably more chipper mood after this third period than the previous one the Islanders had played. After raising the ire of their coach to new levels with a passive final 20 minutes in a loss to Philadelphia the night before Thanksgiving, the Isles came back after the holiday and finished off their first third-period comeback this season. Prized rookie John Tavares netted the decisive goal in a belt-tightening 3-2 win over PittsburghÂ Friday at the Coliseum. "I have to commend the guys on their effort, and not just in the third period," said Gordon, whose team had been 0-7-3 when trailing after 40 minutes this season. "I said to the guys after the second period that ..."

Isles' Tavares seals deal against Penguins

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November 28

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"The New York Islanders did a pretty fair impersonation of the defending Stanley Cup champions Friday at Nassau Coliseum. Dominating the third period and receiving clutch goals from their superstars has been the Penguins' recipe for success since Dan Bylsma became coach in February. The Islanders turned the tables on the champs, outshooting the Penguins, 18-5, in the third period and receiving a late goal from rookie John Tavares to earn a 3-2 victory. "We pride ourselves on being a good third period team," Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said. "We didn't do a very good job of that." The Penguins entered the third period with a 2-1 advantage but were unable to match the Islanders' intensity ..."

Penguins blow 2-1 lead

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November 28

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Scott Gordon had been a bit agitated Wednesday night. And rightly so. Gordon, the New York Islanders' coach, had just watched his team ring up one shot in the third period of what became a 2-1 loss to Philadelphia at Nassau Coliseum. He did not kick over tables or launch into a rant that became an instant YouTube classic, but Gordon made it known that he was not happy, and that he expected more from his players. And even though he spoke mostly through clenched teeth, Gordon's players obviously understood his message. Absorbed it. Did everything but tattoo it on their foreheads. And they made a commitment to upgrade their third-period performance the next time out, which just happened to be ..."

Penguins lose to Islanders, 3-2

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November 28

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Rookie John Tavares scored on a rebound at 13:48 of the third period to give the New York Islanders a 3-2 victory against the Penguins at Nassau Coliseum this afternoon. Josh Bailey put the Islanders in front, 1-0, at 9:05 of the opening period when he pounced on a loose puck at the right side of the crease and knocked it past goalie Brent Johnson. Evgeni Malkin tied the game with a spectacular goal at 17:22, backhanding a shot past New York goalie Dwayne Roloson and inside the far post from the bottom of the right circle. The goal, Malkin's seventh, netted assists for Eric Godard and Ben Lovejoy. Godard's point was his first of the season."

Leaf can Phil the role

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November 24

Toronto Sun

"The moment native son John Tavares stepped on to the Air Canada Centre ice surface for the pre-game warmup last night, the estimated 100 family and friends in attendance erupted in a collective cheer. As for the other several thousand patrons in the rink, they could only dream of what No. 91 would have looked like in Maple Leafs' blue-and-white. It's going to be that type of week for Maple Leafs fans, who will have the images of "what might have been" thrust right in front of their faces. Last night, they were forced to watch Tavares, the pride of Oakville and a longtime Leafs fan himself, take his place on the visitors bench. If only the Leafs had tanked in the final two months last ..."

Tavares back in Toronto

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November 23

New York Post

"What looked a few days ago like it would be a triumphant return to Toronto for John Tavares has turned into something considerably different. That's what happens when a young team like the Islanders -- who went 2-0-2 during the first four games of their seven-game road trip -- loses consecutive games to two of the worst teams in the Western Conference. Though Maple Leafs fans will be able to see Tavares, a native of Mississauga, Ontario, which is 20 miles outside of Toronto, play his first NHL game at the Air Canada Centre, the 19-year-old rookie will be more concerned with keeping the Islanders (8-8-7) afloat."

Tavares breaks through in OT to halt Caps' streak

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October 31

Washington Times

"John Tavares hit two posts, was robbed on a one-timer and thought for sure he had an assist on a beautiful backhand pass. Through 60 minutes, the latest "Next One" was one of the best players on the ice but couldn't crack the score sheet. No worries; Tavares kept working and delivered an upset for the upstart New York Islanders in overtime. Tavares hit Mark Streit with a beautiful centering pass as the Islanders defeated the Washington Capitals 4-3 on Friday night at Verizon Center. "Good players make the plays," Caps center Brendan Morrison said. "He's a young kid, but you can tell he's highly skilled. He's going to be a good player in this league." The first pick in June's draft had ..."

'09 top draft picks make the cut, staying in NHL

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October 29

NHL.com

"Six players taken in the 2009 Entry Draft made their NHL team's opening-night roster. Making the League is one thing; staying there is another. But for the special six from this June's draft, they all passed their first major test. John Tavares (No. 1, Islanders), Victor Hedman (No. 2, Lightning), Matt Duchene (No. 3, Colorado), Evander Kane (No. 4, Thrashers), Dmitry Kulikov (No. 14, Panthers) and Ryan O'Reilly (No. 33, Avalanche) haven't all passed the 10-game threshold, but all have been told that they should look into permanent housing. Teams have nine games to evaluate their teenage prospects before having to make a decision on whether to keep them -- and activate their entry-level ..."

Islanders' Tavares takes center stage

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October 17

Buffalo News

"Martin Biron sees John Tavares as the ideal guy to sit around with and watch football. "He's a Bills fan, so on Sunday we get together, we watch the games, we have a lot of fun," said the New York Islanders goaltender, who spent parts of eight seasons with the Buffalo Sabres. Biron also see Tavares as the ideal guy around whom to build a team. The Isles are doing just that. The new-look Islanders visited HSBC Arena on Friday, giving Buffalonians their first chance to see the No. 1 overall pick in June's draft. He entered the contest with two goals and three assists in his first four games and added to his total with a goal during the Sabres' 6-3 win. "It's definitely been great," Tavares ..."

Senators defeat Tavares-led Isles 3-2

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October 9

Ottawa Citizen

"Same player, same building, different circumstance. At the Senators home opener, they came to bury John Tavares, not to praise him, as they did when he wore Canada's colours and helped deliver a World Junior championship here just nine months ago. "It seems like yesterday," Tavares said, before the second game of his NHL career. Lessons come daily for the 19-year-old, selected first overall by the New York Islanders last summer, a fallen franchise's great saviour. In his first game, Tavares learned he could score at this level, producing a goal and assist in an overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Against the Senators, the Franchise discovered if you stand around with your head down, ..."

Senators ready for Tavares

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October 8

Ottawa Sun

"The last time John Tavares stood on the ice at Scotiabank Place, he was wearing a gold medal around his neck -- as a proud member of Team Canada. It's a memory Erik Karlsson, the flashy young Senators defenceman, who won the silver medal with Sweden at the world junior championship, would rather forget. Fast forward a year and Tavares returns to Ottawa as a New York Islander, the first overall pick in June's draft. Tonight, Tavares and Karlsson will meet again, but this time in the NHL. It'll be Karlsson's first regular-season game on home ice, while it's Tavares' first NHL game on home soil. "I'm just trying to forget that I ended up second last year," said Karlsson with a smile. Tavares ..."

Spotlight's on Tavares

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October 8

New York Post

"John Tavares received plenty of scrutiny before his first NHL game on Saturday at Nassau Coliseum, but that figures to pale in comparison to what he's in for tonight, when he makes his Islanders' debut in Canada against Ottawa (7:00; MSG+2, WMJC). "I grew up there and won World Juniors there, so there's going to be a lot of attention," Tavares said after the team's practice in Syosset yesterday. "At this level, that's part of it." Scott Gordon isn't overly concerned with how the 19-year-old rookie will handle things in his native country. "If anybody is prepared for it, it's him," Gordon said of Tavares, who grew up near Toronto. "He's been under a microscope for a long time and I'm sure ..."

Penguins ruin Tavares' debut with Islanders

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October 4

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Dear John. It'll only get better from here. Best, Sid. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and New York Islanders franchise prospect John Tavares each posted goal-and-assist games, but Crosby's club is where Tavares can only hope to take his — and the grit of a champion is what separated the Penguins and Islanders on Saturday night at Nassau Coliseum. Third-period rally goals by defenseman Mark Eaton and Ruslan Fedotenko earned the Penguins one point, and they snagged another one in the shootout with consecutive scores by defenseman Kris Letang and Crosby to down the Islanders, 4-3. "It's not often you can play just 20 good minutes and win the game," Eaton said. "We were fortunate to get the ..."

Tavares eclipsed by Lighthouse failure

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October 4

New York Post

"After months of waiting, the Islanders finally got to see their reward last night. John Tavares, the Isles' No. 1 draft pick, scored a power-play goal and added an assist in his NHL debut, a season-opening 4-3 shootout loss to the Penguins at a sold-out Nassau Coliseum against Pittsburgh. "It was a [heck] of a game," Tavares said. But it became clear again last night that the young forward's future on Long Island -- and that of the organization -- is still tenuous at best. Just minutes before Tavares took the ice for the first time, team owner Charles Wang said he was "disgusted" that yesterday's self-imposed deadline regarding approval for his Lighthouse project that would include a ..."

Penguins ruin Tavares' debut with Islanders

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October 4

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and New York Islanders franchise prospect John Tavares each posted goal-and-assist games, but Crosby's club is where Tavares can only hope to take his — and the grit of a champion is what separated the Penguins and Islanders on Saturday night at Nassau Coliseum. Third-period rally goals by defenseman Mark Eaton and Ruslan Fedotenko earned the Penguins one point, and they snagged another one in the shootout with consecutive scores by defenseman Kris Letang and Crosby to down the Islanders, 4-3. "It's not often you can play just 20 good minutes and win the game," Eaton said. "We were fortunate to get the win." The Penguins (2-0-0) were fortunate in 2005 when ..."

Penguins start 2-0 after shootout win; Crosby outduels Tavares

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October 4

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"He's a pretty special young player, this John Tavares. Scored one goal and set up another in his first game in the National Hockey League, and pretty much made everyone in the sellout crowd of 16,234 -- as well as everyone on both teams -- pay attention every time he went over the boards at Nassau Coliseum last night. But as good as Tavares was in the Penguins' 4-3 shootout victory against the New York Islanders -- and as good as he will be for many years -- he learned last night just how high the bar of excellence can be set in this game. Sidney Crosby showed him. Crosby scored the Penguins' first goal, assisted on their second, then netted the shootout-clinching one that allowed them to ..."

Penguins start 2-0 after shootout win; Crosby outduels Tavares

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October 4

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"He's a pretty special young player, this John Tavares. Scored one goal and set up another in his first game in the National Hockey League, and pretty much made everyone in the sellout crowd of 16,234 -- as well as everyone on both teams -- pay attention every time he went over the boards at Nassau Coliseum last night. But as good as Tavares was in the Penguins' 4-3 shootout victory against the New York Islanders -- and as good as he will be for many years -- he learned last night just how high the bar of excellence can be set in this game. Sidney Crosby showed him. Crosby scored the Penguins' first goal, assisted on their second, then netted the shootout-clinching one that allowed them to ..."

The torch is passed to Tavares with hopes of lighting up Island

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October 3

Toronto Star

"It's a hockey fantasy we've seen play out before. A Canadian teenager is drafted first overall, bunks with the captain's family in his new city, develops with other young players on the roster, helps save NHL hockey in his adopted home and eventually hoists the Stanley Cup. That, of course, is Sidney Crosby's career, twittered down to size. So isn't it appropriate that when Oakville's John Tavares, the latest shinny saviour from north of the 49th, makes his NHL debut for the Islanders here Saturday it will be against Crosby's Penguins in a hockey barn that is antiquated and under the threat of being vacated. If Crosby passes the torch, Tavares might use it to ignite a passion for hockey ..."

Tavares makes Isles' home debut

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September 24

New York Post

"Nassau Coliseum was not a pleasant place to be last year. Not with a team bereft with injuries, the worst record in the league -- as well as it being Nassau Coliseum. Virtually the lone bright spot was the hope that the Islanders would get the top pick, and that it would be a player almost none of the fans had seen. The fans got their wish and, last night, John Tavares made his home debut in a 4-2 preseason loss to the Devils. His entry into the game 26 seconds in drew the biggest cheers of the night from the announced crowd of 8256 -- more than twice the actual attendance. "It was really special," Tavares said of the reception. On the ice, the center did nothing to stand out, yet Scott ..."

Arena flap puts cloud over debut of Tavares

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September 23

New York Post

"Islander super-rookie John Tavares plays his first game at Nassau Coliseum tonight in a debut fans have been anticipating since he was drafted first overall in June. But whether he or the team remain on Long Island long-term is unknown. With the Isles off in Kansas City playing the Kings in a preseason game last night, which they lost 4-2, owner Charles Wang was back at Hofstra, trying to convince local officials to back his "Lighthouse Project" -- a locally controversial mix of housing, office, entertainment and convention space that includes turning the Coliseum into a state-of-the-art arena. Wang has said the project is the only way of keeping the money-losing Isles on Long Island. ..."

Uncle of Islanders' Tavares a NLL Legend

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July 18

New York Post

"You could make the argument, as people have, that John Tavares is the best ever to play his sport. Hyperbole about an 18-year-old who has yet to play an NHL game? No. Instead, it's an accurate assessment of John Tavares, the 40-year-old star of the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League, where the elder Tavares has played since 1992. Now his nephew will try to have similar success, or at least approach it, for the Islanders, who made him the top pick overall last month. "My uncle has done great things and made our name in the sport of lacrosse," Tavares said. "And I'd like to do the same in hockey." His new team is counting on it. Tavares' jersey already is the Isles' most popular ..."

Tavares Faces Pen-ultimate Start

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July 16

New York Post

"John Tavares officially became an Islander yesterday, signing a three-year entry level contract. And the NHL isn't wasting any time putting the current No. 1 pick on display. The Isles, who haven't drawn much interest around the league this century, will open their season -- and the John Tavares era -- on Oct. 3 at the Coliseum against Sidney Crosby and the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins. It will be the first real NHL test for Tavares, who will be 19 by then. He finished his first prospect camp on Long Island yesterday -- with the Isles announcing that the contract was done. "It's nice to have it behind me," said Tavares of the contract. Tavares and the rest of his new ..."

John Tavares agrees to contract

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July 15

Newsday

"No. 1 overall draft pick John Tavares has agreed to a three-year entry level contract with the Islanders. No terms of the deal were immediately available, but the maximum salary, including signing bonus is $900,000. Other attainable bonuses will inflate the value of the contract to $3.75 million per season. Tavares said he's in no rush to start spending the fortune earned through all his junior accomplishments as the Ontario Hockey League's all-time leading scorer. "It's a great opportunity to play in the National Hockey League and be a pro, but I want to stick with what got me here and the work habits I've had and everything I've put into the game of hockey," Tavares said. "It's really ..."

Tavares shoots it straight about life in spotlight

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July 13

Newsday

columnist Jim Baumbach

"In this constantly evolving social media world where so many pro athletes are turning to Twitter to converse directly with fans, it's logical to think an 18-year-old budding star would be at the forefront. But when I asked John Tavares Saturday if he planned to use Twitter or Facebook, he answered before the question was even finished. "No." Don't take that to mean Tavares doesn't want to connect with fans. Watching him sign autographs and pose for photographs with the handful of fans at the second day of the Islanders rookie camp was a sign he understands the importance of fostering a positive relationship with the paying public. But the first impression I got from meeting The Face of ..."

Islanders' top draft pick John Tavares is fresh start for struggling franchise

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July 9

New York Daily News

"The ice has long been melted at Nassau Coliseum, and so too, apparently, have the 2008-09 standings. Because with his consolation prize for a dead-last finish sitting calmly beside him Wednesday, Islanders GM Garth Snow strode to a podium where the center faceoff circle should be and declared: "This is an exciting time to be a New York Islander. It's an exciting time to be a New York Islander fan." What would be truly exciting for Islander fans is if they could hear Snow say that in January, or April, or anytime before the summer. On a sun-splashed afternoon on Long Island, the Islanders bunkered inside the Coliseum to hand the keys to their franchise over to an 18-year-old who now has one ..."

Top Pick Excited To Help Isles Rebuild

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July 9

New York Post

"John Tavares said all the right things yesterday. When asked if he could do for the Islanders what Sidney Crosby did for the Penguins, the Islanders' recent first-overall pick said: "I want to be part of the team. It's not just about me." He's got a point, but the fact is, the Islanders got more than 10,000 fans to show up at the Nassau Coliseum to watch him get drafted -- on TV -- and had several hundred more come yesterday to his introductory press conference. Tavares, who turns 19 in September, will skate for the first time with his new team tomorrow during minicamp and will be the focal point from the first game of the season on. "We've got guys around him who will help him," general ..."