New York Islanders: How Elite Is Tavares Exactly?

New York Islanders captain John Tavares is elite. We already knew that. But just how elite is he? A recent tweet by the NHL PR department shows just how.

We know how good John Tavares is. As a 14-year-old Tavares was designated as an exceptional talent and was allowed to enter the OHL that year. He is one of only five players to earn that designation.

The NHL almost changed its draft rules to accommodate Tavares back in 2008. Tavares was born five days past the cutoff for draft status, meaning he’d have to wait a full extra year before being draft eligible.

It was probably for the best that the rules didn’t change, at least for the Islanders. We picked ninth that year.

John Tavares has been an exceptional player his entire life and it’s no exception when it comes to the NHL.

Just How Elite is Tavares?

That’s right. Over the last three seasons, only five players, who’ve played at least 100 games, have scored more points per game than Tavares. 

Alex Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos both just miss out of this list. Hitting a point per game ratio of 0.97 and 0.94 over the last three seasons, respectively. We knew Tavares was elite, but to outrank other elite players is something.

This may only be one factor but it’s a telling one. There are only a handful of players in the league that score at a higher rate that Tavares over the last three years.

What Was, Can Still Be

Last season may not have been a banner year in the stats department for Tavares. His 70 points is still his third highest haul over his seven-year NHL career. But it was a step off his 86 point season just a year before.

Next season John Tavares will look to bounce back. And for once management seems to have given him the tools to achieve success. Bringing in Andrew Ladd and PA Parenteau in the free agent window earlier this month.

Of course, an argument can be made where Kyle Okposo was just as good as Ladd. But management didn’t sit on their laurels and surround Tavares with rookies. They gave him proper vets to assist in his task.

Next: Ranking the Isles Alternate Jerseys

Hitting similar production from 2014-15 shouldn’t be a problem for Tavares. He’s an elite hockey player, and one of the best in the game today.