John Tavares: The Heart and Soul of the New York Islanders

It’s quiet as the sound of a hard rubber disk drifting across the ice dominates the arena. The fans are hungry for a score, with the young Islanders down 2-1 to the Buffalo Sabres with less than eight minutes to go in the first period.

The 20-year-old smells prey and turns on the engines, ready to excite the fans. As a shot is thrown at the net and the goalie lethargically attempts to secure the rebound, John Tavares embraces the moment and chips the puck into the net. The crowd explodes.

It has been another tough year for the inexperienced New York Islanders, as they are the third worst team in the league with only 47 points through 56 games. Despite winning their last three in a row, the Isles have faced a plethora of tough obstacles this year.

With early-season injuries to defenseman Mark Streit and forward Kyle Okposo, two key components of this year’s squad, the team was set to rely heavily on sophomore forward John Tavares. But this isn’t about the team and its roller-coaster season. This is about one player’s aura and his effect on the team who drafted him first overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Fans are often enamored by stats and flashy highlights, but Tavares brings something more to every game. As he prospers and grows, so do the Isles. With every goal, he gains confidence and energy.

It’s not his speed or strength that separates Tavares from the rest of the league, but rather his impeccable puck skills, savvy play and awareness. Seemingly always in the right place at the right time, he is becoming an all-around star.

With 21 goals and 26 assists so far, he has as many points (47) as his team does in the standings and only needs four goals to surpass last year’s total of 24. Stats, however, are not as important as the attitude that the humble Tavares has brought to the team.

Not yet old enough to buy an alcoholic beverage, Tavares has truly matured this season and appears destined for greatness. Many scouts and fans were skeptical of Tavares’ lack of consistent production during a certain 20-game stretch in December, but don’t be blind to the lack of support he had. In such a team sport, it’s hard to carry the franchise with a revolving door of goaltenders, no defensemen to rely on and only one other forward, Matt Moulson, producing.

As the season has progressed, the team has evidently gelled, and the chemistry is refreshing for a young team in the rebuilding stage. For those fans who watch their favorite Isles on a consistent basis, it has become clear that Tavares, with even minuscule support, can lead this team to contention.

Forwards Michael Grabner, with nine goals in his last five games, and Kyle Okposo, with seven points in his last seven games, have both heated up recently, allowing Tavares to play to his strengths and stay fresh. As a result, the prodigy has produced 11 points in his last seven games.

With Grabner not signing until October and Okposo injured until January, Tavares struggled early on and had to carry the team on his back. He is now playing comfortably and with a relaxed air about him.

It’s good to finally see the Islanders' franchise player aggressively attacking the net consistently and being physical in every facet of his game.

Early this season, skeptical scouts began to question whether the Islanders should have drafted Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene instead of Tavares. With identical stats this season, Tavares leads the way with his poised play on a team facing far more adversity.

The Islanders made the right choice. If anyone will lead the team back to stardom, it will be No. 91. He is a gazelle on the ice and a leader in the locker room. His teammates respect him, and he enthusiastically embraces the Islanders franchise and the expectations placed on him.

Fans have been struggling to watch the team during their current rebuilding stage, but don’t fret—there is light at the end of the tunnel. Islanders fans have the pleasure of witnessing the maturation of the next great hockey star, and the NHL world will soon see the finished product.